US and Iranian delegations are expected to hold a second round of peace negotiations on Monday in Islamabad, Iranian sources told CNN, as the clock ticks down on the ceasefire deadline set for Wednesday.
The talks come after the first round in Islamabad produced the current ceasefire but failed to resolve the nuclear enrichment dispute at the centre of the standoff. Washington wants Iran to surrender its enriched uranium stockpile, while Tehran has signalled flexibility on the type and level of enrichment but resists full capitulation.
While US officials have not formally confirmed the Monday session, President Trump expressed cautious optimism that a deal is close. “I think it’s going to happen,” he said, even as he warned that attacks would resume if no agreement is reached by Wednesday.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared the Strait of Hormuz “completely open” during the ceasefire, sending oil prices tumbling to approximately $88 per barrel. But Iran has cautioned it could reimpose restrictions if the US maintains its naval blockade.
For Sri Lanka, Monday’s talks represent the most consequential diplomatic moment since the April 8 Pakistan-brokered ceasefire. A successful outcome would stabilise fuel supply chains and ease pressure on the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, while failure could trigger another oil price spike.
