US and Iran Agree to Extend Temporary Cease-fire

The United States and Iran have agreed in principle to extend a 60-day temporary cease-fire that was set to expire on August 17. The extension operates under the Islamabad Accord, a diplomatic framework brokered by Pakistan on June 17 following an initial truce in April.

While Pakistani government sources and the Anadolu Agency report that both nations formally conveyed their approval to mediators, neither Washington nor Tehran has issued a formal public statement. Officials are currently maintaining active contacts to determine the specific duration of the extended truce.

The diplomatic process previously stalled over disputes regarding security guarantees and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. This deadlock led to a period of military escalation between July 8 and July 24, during which the U.S. launched strikes inside Iran and Iran targeted U.S. military facilities in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

Pakistan continues to facilitate negotiations to stabilize the region. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif recently indicated that the two nations are approaching a peace arrangement, while Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Iran to discuss regional security with President Masoud Pezeshkian.