Iran Ambassador to Pakistan Signals Talks at “Critical Stage” as Trump’s Tuesday Deadline Approaches

WASHINGTON – Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan stated Monday that Pakistan-brokered indirect talks with the United States have reached a “critical, sensitive stage,” offering the most conciliatory public signal from Tehran in weeks as President Donald Trump’s firm Tuesday deadline looms.

Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam posted on X: “Pakistan’s positive and productive endeavours in Good Will and Good Office to stop the war is approaching a critical, sensitive stage. Stay tuned for more.”

The comments come hours before Trump’s Tuesday, April 7, 2026, deadline for Iran to accept a U.S. proposal that includes verifiable limits on its nuclear program, curbs on ballistic missiles, an end to proxy support, and the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump has repeatedly stressed the deadline is firm. “They better get serious soon, before it is too late,” he said earlier this week, adding, “because once that happens, there is NO TURNING BACK, and it won’t be pretty!”

The ambassador’s remarks represent a notable shift in tone from Iran’s previous defiant statements rejecting key elements of the U.S. proposal. However, Iranian state media and senior officials in Tehran have continued to issue hardline statements, and no formal acceptance of the deal has been announced.

Pakistan has served as the main intermediary in the indirect negotiations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has publicly offered to host direct talks if both sides agree.

The U.S. proposal was delivered through Pakistani channels last week. Failure to meet the Tuesday deadline, according to administration officials, will trigger additional U.S. strikes on Iranian oil infrastructure and other strategic targets.

The development comes six weeks into the conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026. Iran has suffered significant losses in senior IRGC leadership and military capability during the fighting.

Gulf Arab states most directly threatened by Iran have privately urged the U.S. to maintain maximum pressure. European allies have shown reluctance to commit naval forces to secure the strait.

No immediate reaction from the White House or Pentagon was issued in response to the ambassador’s statement. The administration continues to maintain that the Tuesday deadline stands and that indirect talks remain active but time is running out.

This remains a fast-moving situation with the deadline set to expire tomorrow evening.