Pakistan’s army chief arrived in Tehran to continue mediation efforts, as both the US and Iran have been in indirect talks to extend the two-week ceasefire beyond its expiry on 22 April.

Washington appeared to be very much engaged in this negotiation, as reported by Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary. However, she denied that the US had “formally” requested an extension of the two-week ceasefire. She hopes that negotiations can start very soon in Islamabad for the second round as she said that the White House still sees a potential in the talks. On the other hand, she said it is not going to be official until it is made formal announcement by the White House. It will be the second round of negotiations in Islamabad since the first one was not successful.

Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir is the head of the delegation which went to Tehran on Wednesday in order to deliver a message from Washington. The senior level delegation comprises of the minister of the interior along with other officials from Islamabad. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also visiting Saudi Arabia for four days. He will also visit Qatar and Turkey for strengthening peace efforts through coordinating support from other regional powers.

According to sources, Iran has demanded an end to Israeli attacks on Lebanon as a precondition of the talks. So that the second round of negotiations with the US can be started. In Washington, Israel is in talks with the Lebanese government and is describing it as a “historic opportunity” for ending the grip of the Iranian-allied Hezbollah militia on Lebanon.

However, in a video message, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that he had not committed to a ceasefire and said that the IDF was continuing to strike Hezbollah in its stronghold of Bint Jbeil in Lebanon. Israeli Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir also vowed to eliminate Hezbollah’s presence south of the Litani River during his visit to Israeli troops.