Iran’s Tasnim News Agency rejected the claim, stating that Tehran has not decided to hold talks on Friday and accusing Trump of making misleading statements.
BY PC Bureau
April 22, 2026 — Donald Trump has signalled that progress on a second round of peace talks with Iran could come as early as Friday, raising cautious hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough.
According to a report by the New York Post, citing sources in Islamabad, negotiations may resume within the next 36 to 72 hours. Responding to a query on the likelihood of a breakthrough, Trump said in a brief text message: “It’s possible!”
However, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency swiftly rejected the claim. In a post on X, the outlet accused Trump of misleading statements and asserted that Tehran has made no decision to enter talks on Friday.
Trump Signals Possible Iran Talks Breakthrough by Friday
READ: Iran Seizes Two Ships in Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
🇺🇸 TRUMP SAYS IRAN TALKS ‘POSSIBLE’ AS SOON AS FRIDAY.
A PEACE DEAL WOULD BE SUPER BULLISH FOR MARKETS! pic.twitter.com/Og8vCeFJqD
— Marcus Frederick Nero (@Marcus_F_Nero) April 22, 2026
Ceasefire Extension and Diplomatic Push
Trump’s remarks follow his recent decision to extend the US ceasefire with Iran, allowing additional time for negotiations even after an earlier deadline lapsed without incident. The move marked a shift from Washington’s earlier stance, as the US refrained from setting a new firm deadline for Tehran.
The US President credited Pakistan’s leadership for urging restraint. In a statement, he said the decision came after requests from Army Chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to delay military action and give diplomacy a chance.
Spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Esmaeil Baqaei denounced the United States for inconsistency and bad faith in negotiations, saying Tehran has not yet decided whether to attend a new round of Pakistani-mediated talks in Islamabad.https://t.co/1JXglcYw21 pic.twitter.com/W1uDa5WUNN
— Tasnim News Agency (@Tasnimnews_EN) April 22, 2026
Trump added that US forces would maintain the existing blockade while remaining fully prepared, extending the ceasefire until Iran presents a unified proposal.
Iran’s Tasnim News Agency rejected the claim, stating that Tehran has not decided to hold talks on Friday and accusing Trump of making misleading statements.
Mixed Signals and Market Reaction
The latest developments highlight continuing uncertainty over the trajectory of talks, with conflicting signals from Washington and Tehran. While Iran has denied any immediate plans for negotiations, diplomatic channels remain active.
Pakistan welcomed the ceasefire extension, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanking Trump for the decision. Meanwhile, António Guterres also expressed support for efforts to de-escalate tensions.
Despite the ambiguity, global markets responded positively, with stocks rising on Wednesday amid cautious optimism that a negotiated settlement could still be within reach.
