Iran denies ceasefire extension with US as Reuters reports fresh twist

The denial has created fresh uncertainty over the status of the previous ceasefire arrangement.

Turkish news agency Anadolu had reported that Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts had succeeded and that the US and Iran had agreed to extend the ceasefire.
Reuters later contacted a senior Iranian official to verify the claim.

Iranian official rejects extension talks

The Iranian official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said there were no talks between Iran and the US about extending the ceasefire.
The official said Iran considers the earlier temporary agreement to have already ended, so there is no question of extending it.

According to the official, Iran does not currently recognise any fixed ceasefire period that needs to be extended.
The official therefore said there is also no reason for discussions about extending the arrangement.

The Iranian official further said the US must first implement the terms of the temporary agreement reached in June.
The comments directly challenge the earlier report that suggested a new understanding had been reached.

Pakistan continues diplomatic efforts

Earlier, Anadolu had cited Pakistani sources as saying that the US and Iran had agreed to extend the 60-day ceasefire.
The report came only a few hours before the Iranian official rejected the claim.

The US and Iran had agreed in June to a 60-day negotiating period under a temporary arrangement.
The aim was to maintain the ceasefire while working toward a permanent peace agreement.

However, US President Donald Trump declared the temporary agreement ended on July 7.
Iran also suspended its military and diplomatic activities under the agreement shortly afterward.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Iran on Wednesday as part of Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts.
During the visit, he held detailed talks with the Iranian president, foreign minister and his Iranian counterpart about restoring the memorandum of understanding and ceasefire agreement.

The conflicting reports show that the situation between the US and Iran remains uncertain.
While an earlier report suggested progress, Iran’s denial indicates that no confirmed extension has been agreed.

Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts could still play a role in encouraging dialogue between the two sides.
However, any new ceasefire arrangement would likely require clear agreement from both Washington and Tehran.

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