The stalled Iran-US talks in Islamabad have taken a dramatic turn, with a member of the Iranian delegation claiming their aircraft faced a potential attack, forcing last-minute route changes during the return journey.
According to Lebanon-based outlet Al-Mayadeen, Professor Mohammad Marandi, who accompanied the Iranian delegation, said the team was warned of a possible attack on their aircraft while travelling to Pakistan. “We received direct threats… our plane might be attacked,” he told the outlet, prompting heightened security measures throughout the visit.
Delegation changed route after ‘confirming’ threat
Marandi said the delegation altered its return journey after assessing the situation. “After confirming that the delegation was under attack,” he said, the team took an alternative route while heading back to Tehran. He added that there was “a significant chance that they would shoot down our plane”.
The flight was diverted for an unscheduled landing in Mashhad, after which members of the delegation travelled onward to Tehran by train, car and bus, he said.
These claims have not been independently verified.
In an interview to @MayadeenEnglish, professor @s_m_marandi states the Iranian delegation felt seriously threatened during their return from negotiations in Pakistan. The talks ended abruptly after US Vice President Vance’s intervention, coinciding exactly with the publication of… pic.twitter.com/S7pgND3Uoq
— Javed Hassan (@javedhassan) April 13, 2026
‘No one was optimistic about a deal’
Beyond the security concerns, Marandi suggested the talks were unlikely to succeed from the outset. “No one was optimistic about a deal. No one that I spoke to,” he said, attributing the lack of confidence to US policy unpredictability.
He described US President Donald Trump as “unpredictable, unreliable” and claimed that the “Zionist lobby and Israeli regime are behind this war” and continue to wield “enormous influence” over outcomes.
Claims of pressure and provocations during talks
Marandi also pointed to what he described as pressure tactics during the negotiations. He cited US actions near the Strait of Hormuz, calling them “provocative”, and referred to an opinion piece in The Washington Post that he claimed encouraged targeting negotiators.
“That was an attempt to intimidate the Iranian negotiators. That does not create an environment for agreement,” he said.
Progress followed by sudden breakdown
According to Marandi, early rounds of discussions showed signs of movement. “There was some progress… we could have had some sort of MOU,” he said.
However, he alleged that the US position shifted sharply in the final phase. “The United States suddenly changed their tone. And they became very negative,” he said.
US Vice President JD Vance later criticised Iran and indicated that Tehran had not agreed to key demands, adding that it was up to Iran to take the next step.
‘Vance was constantly making phone calls’
Marandi also questioned the autonomy of US negotiators. He said the Iranian team had full authority and did not consult Tehran during talks, but the US side appeared to rely on external inputs.
“Vance was constantly making phone calls,” he said, adding that some calls were allegedly made to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who, according to Marandi, said Vance “reports to him”.
Marandi described this as “very insulting” and suggested that decision-making on the US side was influenced by figures aligned with Israeli interests.
Deep mistrust and unresolved flashpoints
Marandi reiterated Tehran’s distrust of Washington. “We don’t trust the United States,” he said, adding that Iran is strengthening its military preparedness “while we are at the negotiating table” and “we are also being very busy preparing ourselves for the next round of war”.
Key issues remain unresolved, including Iran’s nuclear programme, control over enriched uranium, international sanctions, and the status of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route that has become a major flashpoint.
Despite the collapse, there are indications that both sides could return to Islamabad for another round of negotiations later this week, according to multiple reports. US President Donald Trump said Iran had expressed willingness to work towards a deal, though the claim could not be independently verified.