President Donald Trump has announced that United States negotiators will travel to Islamabad, Pakistan, on Monday for a new round of US-Iran negotiations aimed at ending the US-Israel war on Iran.
- U.S. negotiators are scheduled for second-round talks in Islamabad following a failed initial attempt led by Vice President JD Vance.
- President Trump has threatened to destroy Iranian power plants and bridges if Tehran rejects the current U.S. deal.
- Iran has denounced a U.S. naval blockade of its ports as a “war crime” and a violation of the existing ceasefire.
In a social media post on Sunday, Trump did not specify which officials would be sent to the talks. The previous round of in-person discussions concluded last weekend without a deal.
Trump accused Iran of violating a two-week ceasefire, which expires Wednesday, by opening fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. He warned that the U.S. would “knock out every single power plant, and every single bridge, in Iran” if the country does not accept the terms being offered.
Conflict Over Naval Blockade
Iranian officials have signaled that a negotiating delegation may not be sent to Pakistan as long as a U.S. naval blockade remains in place on Iranian ports.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei described the blockade as an “unlawful and criminal” act and a violation of the Pakistani-mediated ceasefire. Baghaei added that the action amounts to a war crime and a crime against humanity by inflicting collective punishment on the Iranian population.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy stated Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed again. The IRGC maintained the strait will remain closed until the U.S. lifts the blockade on Iranian vessels and ports.
The U.S. military confirmed it has forced 23 ships to turn around near the strait since the blockade began. Central Command stated that forces continue to enforce the blockade against ships entering or exiting Iranian coastal areas.
Sticking Points in US-Iran Negotiations
The future of Iran’s nuclear programme and the status of the Strait of Hormuz remain the primary obstacles to a resolution.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh noted that while “significant progress” was made last weekend, a framework of understanding must be reached before talks continue. He characterized U.S. demands regarding the nuclear programme as “maximalist.”
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of the Iranian parliament, stated Saturday night that “fundamental points remain” and that parties are still far from a final discussion.
Speaking at the White House, President Trump said the U.S. is “taking a tough stand” and refused to be “blackmailed” regarding the strait. He also clarified that Vice President JD Vance will not lead the next round of talks due to security reasons.
Diplomatic efforts continue as Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke by phone Sunday to discuss the necessity of continued engagement. The presidents of Iran and Pakistan are expected to speak later Sunday.
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