Iran on Monday dismissed reports of a fresh round of negotiations with the United States, even as Washington continued to signal that diplomatic engagement was ongoing.
The sharp exchange comes just days before the current two-week ceasefire window ends on April 22, placing renewed focus on whether both sides can sustain dialogue or risk another escalation in West Asia.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said there is “no plan for a second round of negotiations with the United States (US) for now,” adding that Washington appears “not serious” about pursuing diplomacy. He also accused the US of continuing “aggressive acts” and violating ceasefire commitments, according to Reuters.
Iran rejects US claim on Islamabad talks
Tehran also pushed back against claims that a second round of talks was scheduled in Islamabad, which the United States had indicated would take place soon.
According to Al Jazeera, citing Iran’s IRNA news agency, the report was termed inaccurate and politically motivated.
“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.”
IRNA further criticised what it described as Washington’s “excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions, and the ongoing naval blockade,” calling it a violation of the ceasefire.
US signals optimism despite tensions
Even as Tehran dismissed the prospects of immediate talks, US officials struck a more optimistic tone.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said negotiations were continuing behind the scenes and suggested progress was being made.
“There are negotiations with the Iranians going on despite what you hear in the chatter in public. I think those are actually going well,” Wright told Fox News on Sunday.
He added that the United States was “not too far away from a deal” and described President Donald Trump as “a creative negotiator” who applies pressure and uncertainty strategically.
“I think we’ll have a nice end of this conflict,” Wright said, noting that resumption of shipping through the Strait would take some time once it reopens.
Trump warns Iran ahead of ceasefire deadline
Earlier, US President Donald Trump said American representatives, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, would travel to Pakistan to push for ceasefire negotiations with Iran.
At the same time, he issued a warning to Tehran if it refused to engage.
“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.
Regional outreach continues
Separately, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over the phone on Sunday to discuss the evolving situation in West Asia.
Sharif said he also shared insights from his recent interactions with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye, according to a post on X.
With the ceasefire deadline approaching, conflicting signals from Tehran and Washington underline the uncertainty surrounding the next phase of engagement.