• The United States is optimistic about a second round of talks in Pakistan to reach a peace deal with Iran
• Pakistan has already sent a delegation to Tehran with a new United States message
• The White House says it feels positive about the prospects of an agreement

The United States says it is optimistic about reaching a peace agreement with Iran as discussions continue over a second round of negotiations that could take place in Pakistan.

US officials confirmed that Washington is considering holding fresh talks in Islamabad after last weekend’s unsuccessful discussions.

A Pakistani delegation has already arrived in Tehran carrying what Iranian media described as a new message from the White House.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that further talks “would very likely” take place in the Pakistani capital.

“Those discussions are being had,” Leavitt said, adding that “we feel good about the prospects of a deal.”

The renewed diplomatic push follows a four-day trip by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday, April 15.

US Vice President JD Vance, who led the first round of talks, said Iran has been offered a “grand bargain” aimed at ending the six-week conflict involving Israel and the United States while also resolving tensions surrounding Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel and the US remain aligned on their expectations for Iran.

According to Netanyahu, both countries share “identical” goals, including the removal of enriched nuclear material, the elimination of Iran’s enrichment capability and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz has become a major flashpoint in the crisis. Around one-fifth of the world’s crude oil passes through the waterway, but traffic has been disrupted since the US-Israeli offensive against Iran began.

At the same time, Washington has intensified pressure on Tehran through a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports.

US Central Command claimed it had “completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea.”

CENTCOM also said it had blocked 10 vessels from leaving Iranian ports within the first 48 hours of the blockade and that “zero ships have broken through.”

However, maritime tracking data and Iranian media reports suggested some shipping activity was still continuing in southern Iran.

Iranian military officials warned that if the blockade is not lifted, the situation could threaten the ceasefire reached on April 8.

Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s military central command centre, said a continued blockade would be “a prelude” to violating the truce.

He warned that unless Washington eases restrictions, Iran’s armed forces “will not allow any exports or imports to continue in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Red Sea.”

Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader and a former Revolutionary Guards commander, also issued a strong warning to the United States.

“These ships of yours will be sunk by our first missiles,” Rezaei said in remarks broadcast on state television.

The US also announced new sanctions on Iran’s oil sector on Wednesday, April 15.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the measures were aimed at “regime elites.”

Meanwhile, Tehran has maintained that its nuclear programme is strictly civilian.

Iran’s foreign ministry said its right to enrich uranium is “indisputable,” although it added that enrichment levels remain “negotiable.”

Washington is reportedly demanding a 20-year suspension of Iran’s uranium enrichment programme, while Tehran has proposed a five-year pause.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly insisted that any agreement must permanently prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

The latest diplomatic efforts have also raised hopes of easing tensions elsewhere in the region.

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to open direct negotiations after holding their first high-level face-to-face meeting since 1993.

Trump said leaders of both countries would speak on Thursday, April 16, although a Lebanese official later said Beirut was “not aware” of any planned contact.

Netanyahu said Israel’s priorities in talks with Lebanon are “First, the dismantling of Hezbollah; second, a sustainable peace… achieved through strength.”

Trump claims China has agreed not to supply weapons to Iran after Xi talks

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the United States President Donald Trump said that China has agreed not to supply weapons to Iran, adding that he received personal assurances from Chinese President Xi Jinping during recent diplomatic exchanges.

Trump said Beijing had committed to refraining from sending arms to Tehran. He also suggested that Xi would welcome him warmly during an upcoming visit scheduled for 14–15 May in Beijing.

Trump reiterated that Xi had “essentially” confirmed China would not provide military equipment to Iran. He said he had written to the Chinese leader expressing concern about reports of arms transfers.