President Donald Trump announced that U.S. Negotiators will travel to Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday for a second round of talks with Iran, despite Tehran’s repeated refusal to engage while a U.S. Naval blockade remains in place.
The announcement came via Trump’s Truth Social post on Sunday, hours after Iran’s state news agency IRNA declared that Tehran had rejected the proposed talks, citing Washington’s “excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions and the ongoing naval blockade” as violations of the ceasefire.
Trump framed the mission as a final offer: “We’re offering a very fair and reasonable deal, and I hope they take it due to the fact that, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single power plant, and every single bridge, in Iran.” He added that failure to accept would trigger strikes on civilian infrastructure.
Iran’s response was swift and categorical. The Islamic Republic’s foreign ministry labeled the U.S. Naval blockade of Iranian ports “unlawful and criminal,” arguing it constitutes collective punishment and amounts to a war crime and crime against humanity. The IRGC navy confirmed it had re-closed the Strait of Hormuz less than 24 hours after reopening it, stating the waterway would remain shut until the blockade is lifted.
The U.S. Military said it has forced 23 vessels to turn away from Iranian waters since the blockade began, with U.S. Central Command confirming enforcement continues against ships entering or exiting Iranian ports.
Despite the impasse, Trump signaled that Vice President JD Vance would not lead the delegation due to security concerns, noting the Secret Service lacked time to secure the area. Instead, two senior officials told MS Now that envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would accompany the U.S. Team, though Trump did not confirm their roles publicly.
Pakistan’s role as mediator was underscored when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday, attempting to revive dialogue even as both sides entrenched.
The standoff risks reigniting oil market volatility, with analysts warning that continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a surge in prices when global markets reopen after the weekend.
Why did Iran refuse to attend the talks in Pakistan?
Iran stated it would not send a delegation as long as the U.S. Maintains its naval blockade on Iranian ports, which it views as a violation of the ceasefire and an unlawful act of collective punishment.
Who is leading the U.S. Delegation to Islamabad?
Trump did not publicly name the delegation head, but indicated Vice President JD Vance would not lead due to security concerns, with envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner expected to participate based on White House and media reports.
