The second round of peace talks between the USA and Iran is now at the centre of global attention amid the resurfaced tensions between the two countries over the US blockade of Iranian ports. Following a 10-day ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, Iran declared the opening of the Strait of Hormuz on 17 April 2026, providing a global sigh of relief. However, tensions resurfaced when US President Donald Trump clarified that the US would continue the naval blockade of Iranian ports despite Iran’s decision to open the Strait of Hormuz. Consequently, Iran officially declared the closure of the Strait of Hormuz again on 18 April 2026, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the US blockade from its Ports. Meanwhile, President Trump issued a fresh threat of relaunching attacks on Iran if the two countries fail to reach a peace deal before the ceasefire ends on 22 April 2026. Despite the resurfacing and escalating tensions, the second round of mediated peace talks is expected to begin in Pakistan soon, as the world awaits a historic peace agreement between the USA and Iran.
Ceasefire and the Mediated Peace Talks
After a 39-day-long conflict, the USA and Iran finally agreed to a two-week-long ceasefire, starting from 8 April 2026. This temporary ceasefire was the first coordinated initiative toward a durable peace between the two countries. Following the declaration of the ceasefire, Pakistan brokered the mediated peace talks between the two countries in Islamabad on 11-12 April 2026. However, the peace talks ended without a formal agreement due to the conflicting demands of both parties. One of the prime bones of contention was the US emphasis on the halt of Iran’s nuclear program and handing over its enriched uranium to the USA, which Iran declined. The USA and Iran continued the indirect talks through Pakistan’s mediation to extend the two-week-long ceasefire. On 19 April 2026, President Trump confirmed that the US negotiators would travel to Pakistan to hold the second round of peace talks with Iran.
The World Awaits a Historic Agreement amid Resurfaced Tensions
Although Iran’s decision to open the Strait of Hormuz raised hope for a negotiated peace, the US decision to continue the blockade of Iranian ports did otherwise. As a retaliatory measure against the US blockade, Iran declared the closure of the Strait again on 18 April 2026, within a day of opening it. Adopting a coercive diplomatic stance, President Trump issued a fresh threat of relaunching attacks on Iran in case the two countries fail to reach a peace agreement before the end of the two-week-long ceasefire. Amid these resurfaced tensions, the second round of the peace talks is about to begin in Pakistan, as the international community continues to look toward a historic peace deal between the USA and Iran. This expectation is not merely rooted in optimism but in the structural necessity of an interdependent world, as a renewed conflict between the USA and Iran would result in a multidimensional global crisis.
Author: Mahfujur Rahman is an Assistant Professor of International Relations at Bangladesh University of Professionals.
