Summary

US Vice President JD Vance’s planned visit to Pakistan, aimed at negotiations with Iran over the nuclear deal, has been put on hold after Tehran did not respond to the latest US negotiating positions, the New York Times reported, citing a US official. Vance was scheduled to depart for Islamabad on Tuesday morning, where the talks were set to take place on Wednesday, the same day the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran was set to expire. The US vice president’s visit to the Pakistani capital remains paused, but could resume at short notice with President Donald Trump’s approval as US officials look for a clear indication that Iranian negotiators are fully empowered to reach an agreement. Washington is reportedly keeping military strike options on the table and maintaining a strong presence in the Middle East, though officials say a return to bombing is not imminent. Trump announces extension of Iran ceasefire until ‘discussion concluded’ Trump on Tuesday said the United States would extend its two-week ceasefire with Iran, reversing earlier remarks that military action was imminent and linking the move to renewed diplomatic efforts. “Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured … and upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif … we have been asked to hold our attack,” he wrote on Truth Social. Story continues below this ad Later, in a post on social media, the US president claimed that Iran was undergoing a severe financial crisis and that the country is “collapsing financially”. Iran rejects pressure Iranian officials rejected the extension of the ceasefire, with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stating that negotiations could not take place “under the shadow of threats”. His adviser, Mahdi Mohammadi, described the move as “a ploy to buy time for a surprise strike” and said continued pressure should be met with a military response. State television said no Iranian delegation had travelled to Islamabad, contradicting expectations of imminent talks. The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More