Kashmir Impulse Desk

New Delhi, April 15 

Mediators are moving closer to extending a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran, officials said on Wednesday, as efforts intensify to revive negotiations before the truce expires next week.

Regional officials familiar with the talks said both sides had agreed “in principle” to prolong the ceasefire beyond April 22 to allow more time for diplomacy, though key disputes remain unresolved.

Tensions have risen over a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, with an Iranian military commander warning Tehran could halt trade across vital waterways including the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea if restrictions are not lifted.

“Iran will act with strength to defend its national sovereignty and its interests,” senior commander Ali Abdollahi was quoted as saying by state media, describing the blockade as a potential violation of the ceasefire.

The week-old truce has been under strain after direct talks between the two sides collapsed last weekend over disagreements on Iran’s nuclear programme, maritime security and compensation for wartime damage, officials said.

Global leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, have expressed cautious optimism that negotiations could resume in the coming days.

The conflict, now in its seventh week, has killed thousands across the region and disrupted global trade and energy markets. Oil prices eased on hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough, while US equities rose toward recent highs.

Still, uncertainty persists as Washington maintains the blockade, which US officials say is aimed at pressuring Tehran by restricting oil exports that have continued despite sanctions.

US Central Command said no vessels crossed the blockade in its first 24 hours, with several commercial ships turning back. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz – a route for roughly a fifth of global oil supplies – has been sharply reduced since hostilities began.

Meanwhile, fighting continued elsewhere in the region. Israel pressed on with air and ground operations in southern Lebanon, where clashes with Hezbollah have displaced more than a million people, according to local authorities.

In a related development, Pakistan stepped up mediation efforts, with an official delegation led by army chief Asim Munir arriving in Tehran for talks. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi received the delegation, state media reported.

Pakistan has been attempting to broker dialogue after earlier talks hosted in Islamabad ended without agreement, with both Washington and Tehran blaming each other for the impasse.

Trump said fresh negotiations could take place soon and suggested a deal was within reach, while also claiming China had agreed not to supply weapons to Iran, an assertion Beijing has denied.

With the ceasefire deadline approaching, mediators are racing to bridge differences and prevent a renewed escalation that could further destabilise the region and global markets.