Iran has said it has no plans to take part in fresh talks with the United States, as its military accused Washington of violating a fragile ceasefire. The announcement came hours after President Donald Trump said he was sending negotiators to Islamabad for another round of negotiations.
The escalation followed the seizure of an Iranian cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said the vessel had attempted to bypass a US-enforced blockade. Iran’s military said the ship was travelling from China and threatened retaliation, describing the action as “armed piracy”.
The US delegation, led by Vice-President JD Vance and including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, was due to travel to Pakistan for talks aimed at ending the war. But state media in Iran said there were currently no plans to participate, citing Washington’s excessive demands, shifting stances and the continuing naval blockade.
The development risks derailing the ceasefire, which expires on Wednesday. Trump said the talks were Iran’s “last chance” and repeated threats to destroy Iranian power plants and bridges if no deal was agreed. Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, said there would be “no retreat in the field of diplomacy”.
Pakistan has sought to mediate, with its deputy prime minister speaking to Iran’s foreign minister about the need for continued dialogue. The war, now in its eighth week, has caused thousands of deaths in Iran and Lebanon and pushed oil prices higher due to the closure of the strategic waterway.
