Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met US Ambassador Natalie Baker on Thursday to discuss the regional situation and diplomatic efforts to hold a second round of talks between Iran and the United States in Islamabad, the Interior Ministry said.

Naqvi welcomed US President Donald Trump’s move to extend a ceasefire with Iran and emphasised the importance of continuing diplomatic engagement to reach a lasting solution.

He expressed hope for positive progress from Iran and said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir were making efforts at all levels to resolve the issue.

In Washington, White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt said a US naval blockade of Iran remained in place and that conditions would not be eased. She said Trump had shown flexibility but that Iran would have to hand over its enriched uranium to the United States.

Levitt dismissed reports of a short deadline, saying the president would determine the timeline and that the temporary ceasefire could remain until Iran’s leadership gives a unified response to US proposals. She added that economic pressure was bringing Iran to the negotiating table and that US military operations were continuing.

Iranian leaders in Tehran sharply criticised the US position. Parliament Speaker Baqir Qalibaf said the ceasefire was meaningless if the economy remained constrained by the blockade, adding that it would be impossible to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under such conditions.

He warned that the United States would not achieve its objectives through threats and said recognising Iran’s rights was the only path forward.

President Masoud Peshkeshian also criticised what he described as contradictions between US actions and statements, calling the blockade and threats key obstacles to negotiations.

Despite tensions, Pakistan’s mediation has raised hopes for renewed talks on Friday. Trump has acknowledged Pakistan’s role, and officials say the next 36 to 72 hours could be critical for a potential breakthrough.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated Tehran’s resolve to defend itself, but meetings in Islamabad have opened the possibility for both sides to return to the negotiating table.