The president’s announcement came after Iranian officials left Pakistan on Saturday and downplayed the prospect of direct talks with U.S. officials on a deal.
Pakistan is the key broker in talks to end the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. But it did not always get along with President Donald Trump and does not recognize Israel.
Iranian officials have threatened to forgo negotiations even as U.S. representatives plan to arrive in Pakistan for the meeting and a ceasefire is set to expire Wednesday.
President Donald Trump announced the agreement, which went into force Thursday evening, as Pakistani mediators worked to extend a U.S.-Iran ceasefire and arrange new talks.
Peace talks broke down over Iran’s nuclear program, which has survived two decades of international diplomacy seeking to curtail it and more than five weeks of bombing.
The blockade could derail a tenuous ceasefire after just five days. Vice President JD Vance said the U.S. remains open to diplomacy if Iran takes “our final and best offer.”