A senior Pakistani delegation met with Iranian officials in Tehran on Wednesday in an effort to advance negotiations between the United States and Iran before a ceasefire agreement expires. The visit, which included Pakistan's army chief, underscores Islamabad's role as a diplomatic intermediary between the two adversaries, who have so far engaged in indirect talks.

The diplomatic push comes at a critical juncture, with the current ceasefire between Iran-aligned forces and U.S.-backed parties under pressure. Pakistani officials have been shuttling between capitals in recent days, seeking to build enough momentum for a more durable agreement before the deadline passes.

Iran and the United States have not held direct formal negotiations, making third-party facilitation essential to any progress. Pakistan, which maintains working relationships with both Washington and Tehran, has positioned itself as a credible go-between capable of conveying proposals and gauging each side's flexibility.

The talks reflect broader regional anxieties about what a collapse of the ceasefire could mean for stability around the Strait of Hormuz and neighboring countries affected by the conflict. Both Iranian and Pakistani officials acknowledged the meetings were taking place, though details on specific proposals exchanged were not immediately disclosed.

Whether the Pakistani mediation effort will produce a new round of direct or indirect U.S.-Iran negotiations remains uncertain. Officials on all sides have described the diplomatic window as narrow, with the coming days seen as decisive for determining whether a more lasting framework can be established.