Tensions remained high on Monday, with conflicting signals from Tehran over whether a second round of direct US-Iran negotiations would proceed, even as Pakistan prepared to host the two sides.
US President Donald Trump told The New York Post that Vice President JD Vance and an American delegation were en route to Pakistan, expected to land within hours for peace talks with Iran. Trump expressed willingness to meet with senior Iranian leaders if progress is made. “We’re supposed to have the talks,” he said, dismissing concerns of a breakdown. “I would assume at this point nobody’s playing games.” He added that the delegation would arrive in Islamabad later that night (local time).
However, earlier in the day, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran had not yet decided on attending another round of talks. This followed a statement from Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who said negotiations were continuing but Iran stood ready to take “necessary measures” in case of renewed escalation.
The Iranian stance echoed the preconditions Tehran set before the first round of Islamabad talks, when last-minute friction over Israeli strikes in Lebanon was resolved only hours before the Iranian delegation landed.
Doubts over the talks resurfaced after Trump announced that the US Navy had targeted an Iranian ship attempting to evade a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, though accounts of the incident differed. Iran reportedly closed the Strait again on Saturday, vowing it would remain shut until the US lifted its blockade of Iranian ports.
At a Monday press briefing, Baqaei said, “As of now… we have no plans for the next round of negotiation, and no decision has been made.” He accused the US of lacking seriousness in diplomacy, citing “violations” of a two-week ceasefire, including an attack on an Iranian cargo ship, the naval blockade, and delays in implementing a Lebanon ceasefire.
He also clarified that transferring enriched uranium to the US had never been discussed during negotiations. “It was never raised as an option for us,” he added.
