Next round of US-Iran talks expected soon, says Khawaja Asif

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the next round of Iran-US negotiations was expected soon, with positive progress having been observed.

His statement came a day after marathon talks between the two sides in Islamabad ended without an agreement following more than 21 hours of negotiations.

Speaking to the media outside Parliament House today, the minister noted that there remained a possibility of renewed dialogue between Tehran and Washington, adding that following the latest round of talks, there had been a sense of satisfaction, with no negative developments reported so far.

“Only positive progress has been observed,” he remarked, indicating that the ongoing diplomatic efforts were moving in a constructive direction.

Read: 'Draft was ready': how US-Iran talks narrowly missed historic deal in Islamabad

Responding to a question about whether Pakistan would play a decisive role in shaping the region’s future, Asif said that ultimate decisions rest with Allah.

Commenting on India, the defence minister struck a critical tone, saying there appeared to be unease there, with varying reactions emerging.

He maintained that the broader diplomatic process in the region was advancing positively and that continued negotiations were enhancing prospects for peace and stability.

The US and Iran failed to reach an agreement to end their war despite ​marathon talks that concluded on Sunday in Islamabad, jeopardising a fragile ceasefire. Each side blamed the other for the failure of the 21-hour negotiations to end fighting that ‌has killed thousands and sent global oil prices soaring since it began over six weeks ago.

US Vice President JD Vance left Pakistan after announcing that intensive discussions with Iran had failed to reach an agreement, while appreciating Pakistan’s efforts.

“We had been at it for 21 hours and had held several substantive discussions with the Iranians. That was the good news. The bad news was that we had not reached an agreement, and I think that was bad news for Iran much more than it was for the United States of America,” he said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.

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On the other hand, Iran accused the United States of derailing talks in Islamabad after the two sides had come close to reaching an agreement. “We had engaged with the US in good faith to end the war,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a statement.

Following the failed talks, US President Donald Trump had thanked Pakistan for hosting talks between Washington and Tehran in Islamabad, while announcing that the US Navy would begin blockading the Strait of Hormuz after negotiations failed to produce a breakthrough.

The US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on February 28, killing thousands of people in Iran, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and leaving tens of thousands injured, with civilian areas, including residential buildings and religious sites, among those hit.

The conflict also expanded geographically. Iran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. It also restricted the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

To ease tensions, Pakistan had also hosted a quadrilateral foreign ministers' meeting in Islamabad, with representatives from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. The meeting grabbed the world's attention and was widely appreciated for Pakistan's efforts.

Pakistan and China also jointly proposed a five-point initiative aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the broader Middle East.