Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced he will travel to Saudi Arabia and Turkiye this week as part of his efforts to mediate a second round of peace talks between the United States and Iran. President Asif Ali Zardari said Sharif had briefed him on his diplomatic initiative, which coincides with a two-week ceasefire halting US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Zardari urged continued engagement with Washington, Tehran, and other powers to sustain the peace process.

The renewed diplomatic activity follows unconfirmed reports of backchannel negotiations and public support from US President Donald Trump and the United Nations. Trump suggested talks could resume in Pakistan within days, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it was “highly probable” that ceasefire discussions would restart. A diplomat told the Associated Press that both sides had agreed to more talks, though the venue and timing remained undecided, with Islamabad and Geneva under consideration.

The fragile ceasefire has held despite a US naval blockade of Iranian ports and Iran’s restriction of the Strait of Hormuz. Observers note that communication lines between Washington and Tehran remain open, raising cautious optimism for continued dialogue.