President Donald Trump has announced that United States negotiators will travel to Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, on Monday for talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran.
In a social media post on Sunday, Trump did not specify which officials would represent the US in this second round of in-person discussions with Iranian negotiators. The previous round of talks, held last weekend and led by Vice President JD Vance, concluded without a definitive agreement.
Trump’s post also accused Iran of violating a two-week ceasefire, set to expire on Wednesday, by opening fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. The US president issued a stark warning, threatening to destroy civilian infrastructure across Iran if the country does not accept the terms of the deal proposed by the United States. “We’re offering a very fair and reasonable deal, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single power plant, and every single bridge, in Iran,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Tehran has yet to issue an immediate comment regarding Trump’s announcement of a new round of talks. Meanwhile, Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported that Iran has not made a decision to send a negotiating delegation to Pakistan “as long as there is a naval blockade” on its ports.
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the US naval blockade as a violation of the ceasefire and an “unlawful and criminal” act. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated on X that the blockade “is not only a violation of Pakistani-mediated ceasefire but also both unlawful and criminal.” He further added that by “deliberately inflicting collective punishment on the Iranian population, it amounts to war crime and crime against humanity.”
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy announced on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz had been closed again, less than 24 hours after its reopening. The IRGC stated it would remain closed until the US lifts its naval blockade on Iranian vessels and ports. The US military, for its part, reported that it has forced 23 ships to turn around near the strait since the blockade began, with its Central Command confirming forces are continuing to enforce the blockade “against ships entering or exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas.”
The Strait of Hormuz and the future of Iran’s nuclear program remain central points of contention in the negotiations. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh acknowledged “significant progress made” during last weekend’s talks but emphasized the need for a framework of understanding before further discussions. He also characterized US demands on Iran’s nuclear program as “maximalist.” The speaker of the Iranian parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, remarked on Saturday night that “There are many gaps and some fundamental points remain,” adding, “We are still far from the final discussion.”
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump asserted that the US was “taking a tough stand” and that the US and Iran were having “very good conversations.” He accused Iran of “getting a little cute” regarding the strait, vowing that the US would not be “blackmailed.” Trump also informed ABC News on Sunday that Vice President Vance would not lead the upcoming round of talks, citing “security” reasons for his absence.
In a related development, Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone conversation on Sunday. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated they discussed “the need for continued dialogue and engagement as essential to resolving the current issues as soon as possible.” The presidents of Iran and Pakistan are also expected to speak later on Sunday.
#USIranTalks #PakistanDiplomacy #StraitOfHormuz #IranNuclearDeal #TrumpStatement #CeasefireViolation #NavalBlockade #MiddleEastTensions #InternationalRelations #Diplomacy