Tehran dismisses fresh US negotiation claims, blaming Washington’s shifting stance and blockade, even as ceasefire deadline nears and diplomatic signals from the US remain mixed.
An Iranian flag seen atop a vessel, symbolising ongoing maritime tensions linked to the US-Iran standoff. (Representational image/ Reuters via ANI)
Iran has ruled out participating in a second round of peace talks with the United States, rejecting reports that negotiations were set to resume in Islamabad and accusing Washington of pushing a “media game” to shift blame.
The development comes just days before the expiry of a fragile ceasefire window, with both sides locked in a deepening standoff over terms of engagement, a continuing naval blockade, and sharply differing expectations from the negotiations process.
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According to Iran’s official news agency IRNA, reports about Tehran agreeing to attend another round of talks in Pakistan are “not true”. The agency said Iran’s decision to stay away stems from what it described as “Washington’s excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions, and the ongoing naval blockade, which it considers a breach of the ceasefire”.
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In remarks carried by IRNA, Tehran accused the United States of using information tactics to mount pressure. “The published news about the second round of negotiations in Islamabad is not true,” it said, adding that “the news published by the United States is their media game and part of the ‘blame game’ to pressure Iran.”
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Iran maintained that the ongoing US naval blockade and what it sees as inconsistent positions from Washington have stalled any forward movement in talks. IRNA noted that under the current circumstances, there is “no bright prospect” for meaningful negotiations.
The tensions follow a violent escalation earlier this year. On February 28, Israel and the United States carried out coordinated strikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities, resulting in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior military officials, and civilians. Iran hit back with a barrage of missiles and drones. It targeted Israeli positions and US-linked assets across the region. At the same time, it tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz.
A ceasefire was reached on April 8, after which delegations from both countries held talks in Islamabad on April 11 and 12. However, those negotiations collapsed, with Washington subsequently enforcing a blockade on key maritime routes.
Even as Tehran distanced itself from further talks, signals from Washington remained inconsistent. US President Donald Trump said American representatives would travel to Pakistan to continue negotiations and warned of consequences if Iran refused to sign a deal.
“We’re giving diplomacy one last chance… if Iran does not sign this deal… it will be my Honor to do what has to be done,” Trump said.
At the same time, there was confusion over the composition of the US delegation. Trump ruled out Vice President JD Vance travelling to Islamabad, citing security concerns, while US media reports quoted White House officials suggesting otherwise. Trump later said his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and Special Representative Steve Witkoff would lead the talks.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright struck an optimistic note, saying negotiations were progressing despite public rhetoric. “There are negotiations with the Iranians going on despite what you hear in the chatter in public. I think those are actually going well,” he told Fox News, adding that the US was “not too far away from a deal”.
The latest exchange comes as the two-week ceasefire period approaches its end on April 22, raising concerns over a renewed escalation in the region.
While Iran continues to question the intent behind the talks and the conditions set by Washington, the US has signalled both diplomatic outreach and the possibility of military action, leaving the future of negotiations uncertain.
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