The United States is preparing to send negotiators to Islamabad for a possible new round of talks with Iran, even as tensions escalate over a naval blockade and renewed threats by Donald Trump to strike civilian infrastructure.
Trump announced the planned talks ahead of the expiry of a fragile ceasefire, following an earlier round of negotiations led by Vice President JD Vance that ended without an agreement.
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“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable deal, and I hope they take it,” Trump wrote on social media, adding a stark warning: “If they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single power plant, and every single bridge, in Iran.”
Uncertainty remains over whether the talks will proceed as planned. Iranian officials have objected to what they describe as shifting US positions and the continuation of military pressure, particularly the naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the move, stating: “The United States’ so-called ‘blockade’ of Iran’s ports or coastline is not only a violation of Pakistani-mediated ceasefire but also both unlawful and criminal.” He added: “Moreover, by deliberately inflicting collective punishment on the Iranian population, it amounts to war crime and crime against humanity.”
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The standoff centers on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil route. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy said it had reclosed the strait less than 24 hours after reopening it, declaring it would remain shut until the US lifts its blockade on Iranian vessels and ports.
Iranian state media, including Islamic Republic News Agency, reported that Tehran’s hesitation over attending talks is linked to “Washington’s excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions, and the ongoing naval blockade.”
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Despite the tensions, Iranian officials signaled that diplomacy is still possible. Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said there had been “significant progress made” in earlier discussions, but stressed that a broader framework must first be agreed.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf echoed that assessment, saying: “There are many gaps and some fundamental points remain,” adding, “We are still far from the final discussion.”
Pakistan, which is mediating the process, has urged both sides to stay engaged. Ishaq Dar held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, emphasizing “the need for continued dialogue and engagement as essential to resolving the current issues as soon as possible.”
