WASHINGTON / ISLAMABAD / TEHRAN  -  The White House confirmed Wednesday that a second round of peace talks between the United States and Iran will likely be held in Islamabad, as Pakistan’s top military commander arrived in Tehran for high-stakes consultations aimed at bridging the gap between the warring nations.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, speaking at a media briefing, delivered strong praise for Pakistan’s mediation role, calling the country “the only mediator in this negotiation” and emphasizing that President Donald Trump wants to “continue streamlining communication through the Pakistanis.”

“The Pakistanis have been incredible mediators throughout this process, and we really appreciate their friendship and efforts to bring this deal to a close,” Leavitt said, according to multiple news outlets covering the briefing.

When asked where the next round of talks would be held, she responded: “They would very likely be in the same place as they were last time, yes”.

Leavitt dismissed speculation that the United States had formally requested an extension of the fragile ceasefire, calling such reports “completely false”. She described the ongoing discussions as “productive and encouraging” and said the administration feels “good about the prospects of a deal”.

“While there have been many countries around the world who want to offer their help, the president feels it is important to streamline this communication through the Pakistanis, and that is what continues to take place,” she added.

- Pakistan Army Chief in Tehran

As the White House spoke, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, arrived in Tehran on Wednesday, leading a high-level delegation that includes Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi personally received the Pakistani delegation upon arrival, underscoring the importance Tehran places on Islamabad’s mediation.

“Delighted to welcome Field Marshal Munir to Iran,” Araghchi posted on X. “Expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s gracious hosting of the dialogue, emphasizing that it reflects our deep and great bilateral relationship. Our commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region remains strong, and shared”.

Pakistan’s military described the visit as part of “ongoing mediation efforts” for de-escalation between Iran and the United States. The delegation is expected to carry a new message from Washington and outline a plan for potential upcoming negotiations, according to Iranian state media reports.

The army chief’s visit to Tehran coincides with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s diplomatic mission to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkiye, a coordinated two-pronged strategy aimed at rallying regional support for the peace process.

According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, exchanges between Tehran and Washington have continued through Pakistani channels since the first round of talks concluded over the weekend.

“Since Sunday, when the Iranian delegation returned to Tehran, several messages have been exchanged through Pakistan,” Baqaei said during a weekly press briefing .

The first round of direct US-Iran talks in Islamabad, which took place over approximately 21 hours last weekend, ended without a final agreement. However, the two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan on April 8 remains intact, set to expire on April 22.

Key sticking points include Iran’s nuclear program, control of the Strait of Hormuz, war reparations, and the lifting of sanctions. Vice President JD Vance, who led the US delegation in Islamabad, has identified two non-negotiable US demands: American control over Iran’s enriched uranium and a strict verification mechanism.

Iran has maintained that its right to enrich uranium is “indisputable,” though Baqaei acknowledged that the “level of enrichment is negotiable”.

President Trump signaled Tuesday that talks could resume “over the next two days” and expressed a strong preference for Islamabad as the venue.

“You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there,” Trump told the New York Post. “It’s more likely, you know why? Because the Field Marshal is doing a great job. He’s fantastic”.

The diplomatic efforts are unfolding against a backdrop of continued pressure. The United States has enforced a naval blockade of Iranian ports since Sunday, and Leavitt confirmed Wednesday that the blockade has been “fully implemented” with no scheduled end date.

Iran has described the US measures as “piracy” and warned that such actions constitute a violation of the ceasefire.

With the White House confirming Islamabad as the likely venue for a second round, and Pakistan’s top leadership engaged in feverish diplomacy on multiple fronts, the stage is set for renewed negotiations. The immediate priority for Pakistani mediators is to extend the ceasefire beyond its April 22 expiration and secure a date for the next face-to-face meeting between US and Iranian officials.

For now, Islamabad remains the world’s most important diplomatic venue, and Pakistan has cemented its role as an indispensable mediator -- the only country trusted by both Washington and Tehran to carry their messages and keep the door to peace open.