Backchannel diplomacy between the US and Iran faces uncertainty as Tehran denies Islamabad talks, even as Pakistan mediation continues and ceasefire tensions deepen.
Banners for the US-Iran talks seen at a press centre in Islamabad on April 11, 2026, as uncertainty persists over a possible new round of negotiations. | Xinhua via IANS
Hints of a possible diplomatic opening between the United States and Iran ran into fresh confusion on Tuesday after Tehran denied sending any delegation to Islamabad, even as reports suggested both sides were preparing for high-level talks in the Pakistani capital.
The mixed signals come at a critical moment in the region, with a fragile ceasefire holding since April 8 after weeks of conflict, and Pakistan quietly facilitating indirect engagement between Washington and Tehran. All the mixed signals make one thing clear: the situation is still on edge, with talks being explored even as tensions keep rising.
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According to a report by Al Arabiya, citing a senior Pakistani source, delegations from the US and Iran were expected to arrive in Islamabad simultaneously for negotiations aimed at easing tensions. However, Iran’s state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) rejected these claims outright.
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In a statement, IRIB said, “No Iranian diplomatic delegation–be it a primary or secondary team, or an initial or follow-up mission–has travelled to Islamabad, Pakistan so far.”
Despite the denial, indications of diplomatic activity persist. Pakistan had earlier hosted a round of indirect talks between the two sides on April 11 and 12. Reports now suggest preparations were underway for another round, although Tehran has yet to officially confirm participation.
Adding to speculation, Axios reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has given the “green light” for negotiators to travel to Islamabad, raising the possibility of a breakthrough round of talks as early as Wednesday.
At the same time, Iranian officials have made it clear that any engagement will depend on conditions set by Tehran. According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, issues such as a US naval blockade and what it termed “excessive demands” remain major obstacles.
Even as diplomatic channels remain uncertain, rhetoric from Washington has sharply escalated tensions. US President Donald Trump, posting on Truth Social, defended recent actions and warned of further escalation if an agreement is not reached.
In a series of posts within a short span, Trump threatened to target Iranian power plants and described Operation Midnight Hammer as the “complete and total obliteration of the nuclear dust sites in Iran”.
Tehran didn’t take those remarks lightly, and the pushback has only made the mood around any possible talks even more tense and unpredictable.
Iranian leaders have responded with firm resistance, insisting that dialogue cannot take place under pressure.
Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, said, “A single country in possession of a large civilisation will not negotiate under threat and force,” calling it a fundamental principle.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also criticised Washington’s approach, accusing Trump of trying to reshape diplomacy into coercion. In a post on X, he said, “Trump, by imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire, seeks to turn this negotiating table — in his own imagination — into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering.”
He added, “We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi echoed similar concerns, pointing to what he described as US “provocative actions” and ceasefire violations as key hurdles to peace efforts. He also flagged incidents involving Iranian commercial shipping, including the reported seizure of the container vessel Touska and its crew.
Araghchi said Tehran would decide its next steps based on “all aspects of the issue” and US conduct, signalling that the future of diplomacy remains uncertain.
With the ceasefire already under strain and Trump hinting it may not be extended, the coming days are likely to be crucial. While there are quiet signs that both sides are still keeping the door open, their public stance tells a different story. Neither Washington nor Tehran seems ready to budge, especially with pressure tactics still very much in play.
For now, the idea of US-Iran talks in Islamabad is stuck in that awkward middle ground. It is being talked up in some quarters and flatly denied in others, underlining just how fragile and unpredictable this standoff has become.
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