US-Iran ceasefire: Iran rejects second round of negotiations accuses US of 'excessive demands, blame games'
US-Iran ceasefire: In a significant blow to the diplomatic efforts, Iran will skip the second round of negotiations with the US in Pakistan, state media reported.
The development came hours after US President Donald Trump said American negotiators would be in Islamabad on Monday, kindling hopes of a breakthrough before the ceasefire expires on April 22.
The hope to bring a breakthrough as ceasefire nears its expiration, faded away after Tehran confirmed its absence from the talks, blaming Washington's "excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions", and an ongoing US naval blockade of its ports, which it considers a breach of the truce.
Tehran’s decision to pull out of the talks came as a sudden reversal, especially since Iranian officials had earlier told Reuters that a delegation might reach Pakistan on Tuesday. Parliament Speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf had also insisted there would be “no retreat in diplomacy.” However, recent threats from Trump seem to have prompted a change in stance.
In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump warned that Iran’s civilian infrastructure could be destroyed if it refused the US proposal. He said the US would dismantle Tehran’s “killing machine,” claiming it could target all power plants and bridges in the country.
Despite ongoing back-channel discussions, neither side has been willing to compromise on major issues such as Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme, its ties with regional groups like Hezbollah, and control over the Strait of Hormuz. Vance has earlier pointed out that deep mistrust between Washington and Tehran remains the main hurdle to peace.
At the same time, tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have escalated after Iran declared it closed and warned that approaching vessels would be attacked. Reports suggest hundreds of ships are stuck on either side of the route, which carries nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.
Iran has described the US blockade as an “act of aggression,” with foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei accusing Washington of breaking the ceasefire. Trump, however, has accused Iran of firing on passing ships. On Saturday, Iranian gunboats reportedly opened fire on two Indian-flagged merchant vessels, forcing them to retreat.
- With inputs from agencies
