Iran-US Talks Hit Major Roadblock! Tehran Rejects Attending Second Round of Talks in Pakistan

Iran-US War: Iran has rejected its participation in the second round of talks with the US as tensions in West Asia remain elevated due to the Strait of Hormuz closure and continuous attacks in the region. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, said that his country's delegation will not attend the planned talks in Islamabad, reported Al Jazeera on Monday, April 20.

Iran's fresh statement has come hours after the United States President Donald Trump confirmed that he will be sending delegates to Pakistan for possible talks with Tehran.

Iran Condemns US Attack on Cargo Ships

While rejecting its participation in planned talks in Islamabad, Iran has also condemned US' interception of its cargo ship in the Gulf. The US, recently, intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf as part of its naval blockade.

"Today, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA, nearly 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier, tried to get past our Naval Blockade, and it did not go well for them. The U.S. Navy Guided Missile Destroyer USS SPRUANCE intercepted the TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman, and gave them fair warning to stop. The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engineroom.Right now, U.S. Marines have custody of the vessel. " read a social media post by Truth Social.

Iran-US Possible Peace Talks, Strait of Hormuz Closure

Earlier, it was speculated that Iran and US peace talks were scheduled to take place in Pakistan this week. Recently, Donald Trump confirmed that his representatives were heading to Pakistan for the talks. The US had planned to send Witkoff and Kushner to Islamabad first, reported Al Jazeera citing sources.

Pakistan has also implemented various security measures throughout Islamabad, including deploying thousands of additional police and paramilitary forces.

Why Iran Will Not Attend Peace Talks In Pakistan?

Iran has declined to join a second round of peace talks, according to state media reports on 19 April. The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) said Tehran objects to "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."

IRNA reported that officials in Tehran criticise what they describe as Washington's "maximalism and unreasonable and unrealistic demands, frequent changes of positions, constant contradictions and the continuation of the so-called naval blockade," arguing that these actions block progress. The agency added that "in these circumstances, there is no clear prospect of fruitful negotiations," and repeated claims that the naval restrictions violate the agreed ceasefire.