Smoke rises over Azadi Square following a strike, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran in Tehran on April 6. Photo: Reuters
Efforts to facilitate talks between the United States and Iran are ongoing, two Pakistani sources with knowledge of the discussions told Reuters on Tuesday, as US strikes on Iran intensified and President Donald Trump’s deadline to unleash “hell” neared.
However, one of the sources, a senior security official, said Iran’s overnight strikes on Saudi Arabia’s industrial facilities linked to US firms threatened to derail the talks. If Saudi Arabia were to retaliate, the talks would be over, the source said, adding that it could draw Pakistan into the conflict under its defence pact with Riyadh, which binds both nations to fight for each other in case of a war.
The second source with knowledge of the talks said Iran was “walking on thin ice” and that the next three to four hours were critical for the future of dialogue.
Pakistan has been the main go-between for proposals shared by both sides, but there has been no sign of a compromise.
“We are in touch with the Iranians. They have lately shown flexibility that they could join the talks, but they are at the same time taking hard lines as a prerequisite for any negotiations,” the Pakistani security source said. He added that Islamabad was persuading Tehran to enter negotiations without prior conditions.
Read: Army brass condemns Iran attacks on Saudi facilities as ‘unnecessary escalation’ spoiling mediation efforts
Meanwhile, the Iranian ambassador to Islamabad said that Pakistan’s facilitation of talks with the US to end the war in the Middle East was “approaching a critical, sensitive stage”.
Pakistan positive and productive endeavours in Good Will and Good Office to stop the war is approaching a critical, sensitive stage …
Stay Tuned for more
— Reza Amiri Moghadam (@IranAmbPak) April 7, 2026
Reza Amiri Moghadam’s remarks come as Iran on Monday sent a proposal outlining its position on ending the war, rejecting a temporary ceasefire and calling instead for a permanent resolution.
Iran conveyed its response to a US proposal through Pakistan after two weeks of high-level deliberations.
Later, US President Donald Trump described Iran’s response as a “significant step”, though still falling short.
“It’s not good enough, but it’s a very significant step,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
Pakistan still hopes for a “positive response” from Iran despite Tehran’s “insistence on preconditions” before Trump’s deadline on the Strait of Hormuz hours from now, a senior government official told Anadolu today.
“The situation has gotten extremely complex and sensitive as the next few hours are very crucial. We still hope that we will get a positive response from Tehran,” said the official on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Trump on Tuesday threatened that “a whole civilisation will die tonight” as his deadline for reaching a ceasefire agreement with Iran is due within hours, at 8pm ET (0000GMT Wednesday).
Pakistan has positioned itself to mediate between the US and Iran, leveraging its good relations with both Washington and Tehran, and strategic and defence partnerships with China and Saudi Arabia.
Islamabad’s proposal, according to Pakistani sources, includes an immediate ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz within two to three weeks to finalise a broader settlement, and subsequent in-person talks in Islamabad.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said a day ago that messages were still being exchanged between Iran and the US via mediators. A senior Iranian source said Tehran had rejected a proposal for a temporary ceasefire with talks dependent on an end to US-Israeli strikes and compensation for damages.
The Foreign Office said today that the strikes on Saudi Arabia constituted a dangerous escalation.
“Such unwarranted aggressions have serious repercussions, to spoil the ongoing peaceful options and conducive environment,” added a military statement after top commanders met with the army chief.
Pakistan wants to avoid being pulled into the war, which could wreak havoc along its shared western border with Iran.
Analysts say the defence agreement may not trigger immediate military action but could be activated if conflict escalates.
Iran’s willingness to risk embarrassing Pakistan at a time when “it is crucial to brokering a ceasefire reveals just how committed Tehran is to a tit-for-tat strategy that punishes the Gulf for US and Israeli strikes”, said Adam Weinstein, an expert on Pakistan, Afghanistan and US politics at the Quincy Institute.
