US-Iran 60-Day Ceasefire Set to Expire on August 17 as Pakistan Pushes for Extension

The 60-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran is set to expire on August 17, with Pakistan intensifying diplomatic efforts to secure an extension of the truce.

According to Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, citing Pakistani government sources, the United States and Iran have agreed in principle to extend the current 60-day ceasefire, although the duration of the extension has not yet been decided.

The report said the length of the extension will be determined during upcoming negotiations and consultations between the two sides.

The proposed extension is aimed at giving Washington and Tehran additional time to continue discussions on several major issues over which deep differences remain.

Following a deadlock in direct US-Iran talks, regional countries including Pakistan and Qatar have been playing an important role in maintaining communication between the two sides.

Even if the ceasefire is extended, significant disagreements are expected to remain between Washington and Tehran. Key issues include Iran’s nuclear program, US sanctions, frozen Iranian assets and the status of the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States is pressing Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping, while Tehran is demanding an end to US sanctions and the restoration of its frozen assets.

If the ceasefire remains in place, however, both sides could gain additional time to advance negotiations on these and other sensitive issues.

The current ceasefire and negotiation framework was established under the Islamabad Reconciliation Agreement brokered by Pakistan in June this year. The agreement set a 60-day period for the ceasefire and negotiations, which is due to expire on August 17.