WASHINGTON: A second round of US-Iran talks could take place within the next three days, the New York Post reported Wednesday, citing unnamed Pakistani sources and President Donald Trump.
"It's possible!" Trump reportedly told the Post by text message, when asked about sources in Pakistan -- which mediated the first round of talks -- saying that a second round was "expected in Islamabad within the next 36 to 72 hours."
A digital news outlet in Pakistan, News Post, reported the three-day time frame for more talks without a source or further details.
Trump indefinitely pushed back the end of the two week truce, crediting a request from mediator Pakistan and stressing the need to give Iran's "fractured" leadership time to form a proposal. But he said the US blockade of Iran's ports -- a sticking point for Tehran -- would continue.
Trump had previously indicated he would not extend the ceasefire and had warned of a resumption of bombing when it expired.
"I have...directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their (Iran's) proposal is submitted," Trump wrote on social media.
Ahead of Trump's eleventh-hour intervention, it had been unclear exactly when the original ceasefire would expire, with Pakistan indicating it would end at 2350 GMT Tuesday.
This moment came and went with no reports of of new military activity by Iran, which had said the ceasefire would end at 0000 GMT. Iran made no immediate public comment in response to Trump's announcement.
The fate of peace talks hosted by Pakistan was hanging in the balance following Trump's announcement.