Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency reported on the 12th (local time) that the United States and Iran agreed to extend a 60-day cease-fire that is set to expire soon.
According to a Pakistani government source, the United States and Iran notified mediator Pakistan that they approve extending the cease-fire. However, Anadolu said the sides are still discussing how long to continue the cease-fire, which expires on the 17th (local time).
But Iran denied the report, leaving the actual prospect of an extension uncertain. Reuters said a senior Iranian source noted, "There are no discussions between Iran and the United States about extending the cease-fire," adding, "From Iran's perspective, there is no start date for a cease-fire, so there is nothing to extend." The source continued, "One of the issues under discussion is for the United States to return to the memorandum of understanding (MOU) and set a timetable for fulfilling its commitments," but added, "There has been no progress at all on this matter."
The United States and Iran signed the Islamabad memorandum of understanding (MOU) containing a peace plan on June 17. It said the parties would continue follow-up talks related to reopening the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days until the 16th of this month.
However, last month the United States resumed airstrikes on Iran, reigniting clashes between the sides. Iran labeled the U.S. strikes a violation of the MOU and carried out retaliatory attacks on U.S. military bases in the Middle East. Iran's position is that it cannot reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the United States compensates for damages arising from the MOU violation.