Araghchi: 60 Day Window in Islamabad Memorandum Does Not Mean the Ceasefire Is Ending

As the 60 day window in the Islamabad memorandum approaches its end on Monday, August 17, 2026 (26 Mordad 1405), Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected the characterization of a "temporary ceasefire," saying the memorandum declared a permanent end to the conflict from the outset rather than a truce needing renewal. According to Ecoiran, citing Tabnak (Sunday, August 16, 2026), Araghchi said the 60 day period was meant as a window for negotiating a final agreement, not a ceasefire countdown. Iran accuses the United States of violating the memorandum and says it has not decided to resume talks with Washington. Separately, The New York Times reported, citing US officials, that the White House is aware the Monday deadline will pass without achieving its core goal of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Al Jazeera, citing a senior White House official, reported that no ceasefire extension has been confirmed and described talks with Tehran as "stalled."