STORY: Pakistan stepped up security measures in Islamabad's high-security Red Zone on Tuesday (April 21) as the South Asian nation prepares to host U.S. and Iranian delegates for a possible second round of peace talks, with a fragile ceasefire set to expire.

Armed rangers and police took up positions at checkpoints on roads leading to the Serena Hotel — the same venue where the first round of talks ended without a deal on April 12 — frisking passengers and stopping vehicles in and out of the restricted area.

The United States expressed confidence that peace talks with Iran would go ahead in Pakistan and a senior Iranian official said Tehran was considering joining, but significant hurdles and uncertainty remained as the end of a ceasefire approached.

U.S. President Donald Trump wants an agreement that would prevent further oil price rises and stock markets shocks but has insisted Iran cannot have the means to develop a nuclear weapon. Tehran hopes to leverage its control of the Strait of Hormuz to strike a deal that averts a restart of the war, eases sanctions but does not impede its nuclear program.

A Pakistani source involved in the discussions said there was momentum for talks to recommence on Wednesday (April 22) and Trump could attend in person, or virtually, if a deal were to be signed.

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Pakistan readies for potential US-Iran peace talks as ceasefire deadline looms

VIDEO SHOWS: ARMED RANGERS AND POLICE STANDING GUARD AT CHECKPOINT ON ROADS LEADING TO ISLAMABAD’S RED ZONE AREA / EXTERIOR OF SERENA HOTEL, VENUE OF POSSIBLE SECOND ROUND US-IRAN PEACE TALKS / SOUNDBITES FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS

SHOWS: ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (APRIL 21, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. POLICE STANDING GUARD AT CHECKPOINT ON ROADS LEADING TO ISLAMABAD’S RED ZONE AREA

2. EXTERIOR OF SERENA HOTEL, VENUE OF POSSIBLE SECOND ROUND US-IRAN PEACE TALKS

3. BARRICADE IN FRONT OF SIGNS READING (English): “ISLAMABAD TALKS”

4. ARMED RANGERS GETTING OFF VEHICLE

5. VARIOUS OF ARMED RANGERS STANDING ON GUARD

6. SECURITY FORCES STANDING ON GUARD

7. ARMED RANGER SEATED INSIDE VEHICLE

8. VARIOUS OF SECURITY FORCES STANDING AT CHECKPOSTCHECKPOINT

9. ARMED RANGER STANDING GUARD

10. RANGERS SITTING IN BACK OF TRUCK

11. VARIOUS OF VEHICLES MOVING PAST POLICE CHECKPOINT ON ROAD LEADING TO FAISAL MOSQUE

12. POLICE FRISKING PASSENGER AT CHECKPOINT

13. VEHICLES MOVING PAST CHECKPOINT

14. CHEF MAKING PARATHAS (FLATBREAD) AT ROADSIDE CAFE

15. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE HAVING BREAKFAST

16. (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) ISLAMABAD RESIDENT, MOSAB QAMAR, SAYING:

“It is a matter of great joy for us Pakistanis that efforts are being made in our country for world peace. Our government, our army chief, and our entire leadership have come together for this cause. What once seemed impossible, bringing America and Iran together in Pakistan, has been made possible through the leadership of our beloved country, uniting them on the same page. I believe from today, by the grace of God, a second round of talks may begin. We hope that our government will succeed in this effort and, God willing, will be able to stop this war, which is in danger of turning into a world war.”

17. PEOPLE HAVING BREAKFAST AT LOCAL CAFE

18. (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) ISLAMABAD RESIDENT, MOHAMMMAD HASSAN, SAYING:

“Pakistan’s efforts are increasing day by day, and we are seeing that Pakistan is ready for talks with the U.S., but Iran cannot fully trust these talks. That is why we are seeing that the leadership of Pakistan is trying to build complete trust with Iran”

19. VARIOUS OF ARMED RANGERS STANDING GUARD ON ROADS LEADING TO RED ZONE

20. VEHICLES ON STREETS