Direct US-Iran talks could be held in Islamabad as soon as this week — Reuters sources

A Pakistani official and a second independent source told Reuters on Monday evening that direct talks between the United States and Iran could be held in Islamabad, Pakistan, as soon as this week. The report names Pakistan as a possible venue and confirms that multiple intermediaries — Egypt, Pakistan, and Gulf states — have been actively relaying messages between the two sides. A European official separately confirmed this mediation structure to Reuters. Earlier on Monday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian spoke by phone with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during which Pezeshkian was quoted as saying Iran is committed to 'preserving stability and security and countering foreign interference in regional affairs,' and wished to strengthen cooperation with regional countries. The Islamabad venue aligns with Iran's partial acknowledgment of US messages via 'friendly countries' while maintaining its public denial of direct negotiations. The development builds on Trump's 5-day postponement of power plant strikes and his '15-point framework' claim, and would represent the first direct US-Iran diplomatic contact since the war began on February 28, 2026. The April 9 target end-of-war date set by US-Israeli officials provides the timeline pressure for an Islamabad meeting this week.