Islamabad MoU US Iran Ceasefire: Washington, Tehran Reportedly Agree to Extension

Islamabad – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – Islamabad MoU US Iran ceasefire looks set to be extended, according to Pakistani government sources. The current truce is due to run out on August 17, but both Washington and Tehran have reportedly agreed in principle to push that date back.

News agency Anadolu quoted a source close to the mediation effort on Wednesday. The source said both nations have told mediators they are willing to continue the pause in hostilities.

However, the exact length of the new extension is still being worked out. Officials on both sides are said to be exchanging messages to settle on fresh terms.

This ceasefire first came into effect in April, brokered by Pakistan. It was formalized further when the US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding in Islamabad on June 17.

That agreement was meant to open the door to a lasting peace deal. But talks soon hit a wall.

Two major sticking points emerged. One was security guarantees. The other was free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway crucial to global oil and trade flows.

Pakistan’s Ongoing Role

Pakistan says it has not given up on bringing the two countries back to the table. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi addressed the matter during a weekly briefing in Islamabad on Wednesday.

He said Islamabad is working closely with regional partners to keep the peace process alive. He described the effort as sincere and continuous, aimed at protecting the truce and moving toward long-term stability.

Andrabi also noted that Pakistan is actively working to prevent any disruptions to dialogue. He said both direct and indirect diplomatic channels are being used to keep talks on track.

A Notable Visit to Tehran

Adding another layer to the diplomatic push, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi traveled to Iran this week. He landed in Tehran on Tuesday.

During his visit, Naqvi held meetings with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Discussions reportedly touched on bilateral ties, regional security, and the broader push for peace.

According to Iranian government sources, Naqvi carried a message intended for Pezeshkian from Pakistan’s top leadership. The exact content of that message was not made public.

Naqvi is one of several senior Pakistani figures involved in the mediation. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir have also played key roles throughout the process.

Why Talks Broke Down

The path to peace hasn’t been smooth. Between July 8 and July 24, the US and Iran exchanged direct military strikes.

The United States targeted sites inside Iranian territory. In response, Iran struck facilities it claimed were linked to US forces stationed in nearby countries, including Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

Since then, tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have only grown. Iran wants control over the waterway even after the conflict ends, and has floated the idea of charging ships a passage fee.

Tehran has also targeted vessels it believes are trying to bypass its preferred shipping route. In turn, the US has placed its own blockade on Iranian ports.

For now, all eyes are on whether Washington and Tehran can agree on new terms before the current deadline runs out. Pakistan appears determined to keep both sides talking.

If the extension goes through, it could offer a short-term window to address the unresolved issues around security and maritime access. But experts note that without progress on Hormuz, a lasting resolution may remain out of reach.