US puts negotiations with Iran on hold as ceasefire deadline nears

Police officers stand guard at a checkpoint ahead of the second round of negotiations between the US and Iran, in Islamabad, Pakistan (Anjum Naveed/AP)

Last-minute ceasefire talks between the US and Iran looked uncertain on Tuesday as a two-week truce was set to expire and both countries warned that, without a deal, they were prepared to resume fighting.

US vice president JD Vance, expected to lead US negotiators if talks continue, called off a trip to Pakistan, a US official said.