US President Donald Trump has announced an extension of the ceasefire, but Iran has yet to agree to talks with Washington. Pakistan is actively working to restart the stalled dialogue between the two nations, according to Maria Sultan, Director General of the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute University and adviser to Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence. She stated that Islamabad played a central role in extending the ceasefire and warned both sides that the alternative to dialogue is war.

Sultan told Al Jazeera that without the ceasefire extension, the Gulf region’s military situation could have escalated rapidly, worsening tensions in the Strait of Hormuz where US military presence has increased. She confirmed that Pakistan is engaged in close discussions with both Washington and Tehran and has called for direct talks in Islamabad.

Expressing optimism, Sultan said discussions could begin within 24 to 48 hours, emphasizing that both sides understand the grave consequences of renewed conflict for the region and the global economy.