Pakistan-mediated US-Iran talks nearing breakthrough – media

The likelihood of a deal on Tehran’s nuclear program has improved significantly, Al Jazeera has reported

The US-Iran talks being mediated by Pakistan to end the latest Middle East conflict are nearing a breakthrough, Al Jazeera has reported.

The likelihood of a deal on Tehran’s nuclear program has improved significantly, the news outlet reported, citing Pakistani sources.

Iran’s nuclear program has been the bone of contention in talks with the US to end the Middle East conflict after Washington announced a ceasefire on April 7.

Negotiators from the US and Iranian sides have been at odds over the duration of any uranium enrichment freeze by Tehran as part of its nuclear program.

Pakistani sources say there has been a 'major breakthrough' over a deal on Iran’s nuclear programme. https://t.co/Ehyfs0l5Ue

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) April 16, 2026

The country’s stockpile of 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium also remains a sticky issue.

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The optimism towards breaking a deadlock came after a Pakistani delegation led by Army Chief Asim Munir arrived in Tehran on Wednesday for talks to resolve the Middle East conflict.

The delegates were continuing to relay messages between Washington and Tehran, the news outlet said.

The Al Jazeera report said Munir has brought a new message from the US, adding that he plans to facilitate another round of talks between Tehran and Washington.

The initial round of US-Iran talks led by US Vice President J.D. Vance and Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf ended without a breakthrough in Islamabad on Sunday.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Türkiye this week was part of a “double-pronged strategy” to neutralize any detractors to a deal, the news outlet said.

The options being considered include sending Iran’s uranium stockpile abroad to a third party or bringing it down to either uranium in its natural form or up to 3%, according to the report.

The conflict between the US and Iran is close to being settled, President Donald Trump claimed on Wednesday.

Trump has also said that a 20-year uranium enrichment moratorium on Iran is not long enough, referring to a reported proposal made by Vance in Islamabad.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry reportedly said on Thursday that no dates have been set for the next round of talks between the US and Iran.