US Vice President JD Vance is expected to depart Washington on Tuesday for Islamabad to join a high-level delegation for talks with Iran, people familiar with the plans told CNN.

A second round of talks between the US and Iranian delegations is currently planned for Wednesday in Islamabad, though officials cautioned the situation remains fluid amid continued heated rhetoric from both sides.

The White House said there is no formal confirmation on timing, but added the delegation is expected to travel soon.

Earlier, President Donald Trump told the New York Post in a phone interview that the delegation was “heading over now” and would “be there tonight,” though those remarks appeared premature as later updates suggested a later arrival.

The US team is set to include special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner.

Trump signalled willingness to meet senior Iranian leaders if a breakthrough is reached.

“I have no problem meeting them,” he said. “If they want to meet, and we have some very capable people, but I have no problem meeting them.”

He dismissed concerns the talks could collapse.

“We’re supposed to have the talks,” Trump said. “So I would assume at this point nobody’s playing games.”

The diplomatic push comes as a US-Iran ceasefire is set to expire at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, increasing pressure for progress.

Trump said it was “highly unlikely” the truce would be extended, warning that fighting could resume if no deal is reached, according to Bloomberg.

At the core of the negotiations, Trump reiterated a non-negotiable demand: Iran must abandon any pursuit of nuclear weapons.

“Get rid of their nuclear weapons. That’s all very simple,” he said. “There will be no nuclear weapon.”

He added that Iran has the potential to prosper if it complies.

“Otherwise, a wonderful country — it truly could be,” Trump said.

When asked about possible consequences if talks fail, Trump declined to elaborate.

“Well, I don’t want to get into that with you,” he said. “You can imagine. It wouldn’t be pretty.”

He has previously warned of severe measures, including targeting infrastructure, if Iran does not agree to a deal.

Iran, meanwhile, has accused Washington of making “excessive demands” and shifting positions, and has signalled it may not attend the talks in Islamabad.

However, Pakistani sources told the New York Post that Tehran’s stance could be tactical.

The current position “is posturing to extract maximum advantage when [the] second round happens,” one source said, citing discussions with Iran’s foreign ministry.

Despite Tehran’s signals, Trump said he remains confident in his negotiating approach and brushed off criticism from political opponents.

“As a negotiator, and I am a great negotiator, how bad is it when you have people from your own country trying to reach a deal? They are helping the other side,” he said.

“The other side has nothing, they have no cards, but they are using this to delay,” he added. “I have only been in this for five weeks. I will not be rushed.”

Analysts say US negotiators could face a tougher challenge, with Iran’s negotiating posture reportedly influenced by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is said to be taking a harder line and sidelining more moderate voices, according to a Washington-based think tank.

Despite the uncertainty, Pakistan is moving ahead with preparations in Islamabad, aiming to facilitate dialogue and prevent a renewed escalation if the ceasefire collapses.