Iran says it will join talks in Islamabad only if the US ends its naval blockade, calling it a ceasefire violation. As Trump extends the truce, Tehran remains sceptical, citing shifting US demands, while tensions rise and uncertainty surrounds peace negotiations.
Iran's Condition For Talks
Iran has set a condition for attending the talks in Pakistan to end the war with Iran. Iran's United Nations (UN) envoy Amir Saeid Iravani has said that negotiations will be held in Pakistan’s capital once the United States ends its blockade of Iranian ports. His comments came as US President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with a hope that Tehran would submit a proposal to end the conflict permanently. The Iranian envoy said that United States must halt its ‘violation of the ceasefire.’ The 10-day ceasefire was to end on Apr 22.So far, no senior Iranian officials—including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi — have responded to the extended ceasefire.
What Is The Condition?
In a statement to Iranian media IRNA and Tasnim News agency, Iravani said, "As soon as Washington ends the naval blockade, I think the next round of negotiations will be held in Islamabad. "The United States must halt its ‘violation of the ceasefire’ before any new round of negotiations. We have not been the initiator of military aggression. If they seek a political solution, we are ready. If they seek war, Iran is ready for that as well...When that happens, the next round of negotiations will take place in Islamabad." He warned, "If the US wants a political solution, they are ready, if they want war then Iran is also ready." Additionally, Mahdi Mohammadi, a senior adviser to Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has mocked America saying ceasefire extension means "nothing" because the “losing side cannot dictate terms.” He termed the ceasefire extension as a ploy “to buy time for a surprise strike.”
What We Know About Iran-US Talks In Pakistan?
The uncertainty around the peace talks in Pakistan's Islamabad continues. The White House said in a statement that Vice President JD Vance and the US negotiating delegation would not be travelling to Pakistan. Iran has expressed its doubt about the ceasefire talks stating that it could be a "ploy for surprise strikes" on the country. But high-level security is in place in Pakistan, with administration deploying over 20,000 security personnel in and around Rawalpindi and Islamabad. (Read More)
