The United States and Iran have agreed in principle to extend a 60-day ceasefire brokered by Pakistan, although the duration of the extension has yet to be decided, a Turkish state-run news network reported, citing Pakistani sources.
The existing arrangement, formalised under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, is due to expire on Aug. 17.
“Both sides have conveyed their consent to the mediators to extend the deadline,” a source close to the mediation process said.
The source added that Washington and Tehran were still exchanging messages over the length of the extension.
Pakistan brokered the ceasefire between the United States and Iran in April. The two countries subsequently signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17, establishing a framework for negotiations towards a final agreement.
The talks later stalled over disagreements on security guarantees and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a major international waterway for global energy supplies and trade.
The development follows renewed military confrontation between the two countries. Between July 8 and July 24, the United States and Iran exchanged strikes, with Washington attacking targets inside Iran.
Iran responded by striking what it described as US military facilities and equipment in several Arab countries, including Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait.
An extension of the ceasefire would give the two sides more time to resolve the outstanding issues that have delayed negotiations on a longer-term agreement.
The duration of any extension remains under discussion, with Washington and Tehran continuing to exchange messages through the mediators, according to the source.
