Trump Announces Vance to Lead Delegation to Islamabad; Iran Says No Plans for New Round of Negotiations
With just three days remaining until the ceasefire agreement expires, U.S. President Trump announced on Sunday that he would dispatch a U.S. delegation to Pakistan on Monday to restart peace talks with Iran. However, Iran's official news agency reported on Sunday that Tehran currently has no plans to hold a new round of peace negotiations with the United States.
Earlier that day, Trump stated he would send a U.S. delegation to Pakistan for consultations and threatened military strikes against Iran if it did not accept his conditions. Trump said the U.S. delegation would arrive on Monday evening. A senior White House official confirmed that the delegation would be led by Vice President Vance.
Trump wrote on social media: "We have presented a very fair and reasonable agreement, and I hope they will accept it. If they don't, the United States will destroy every power plant and every bridge in Iran." "[The era of the nice guy] is over!"
Subsequently, Iran's official news agency reported that Tehran refused to enter into a new round of negotiations under current conditions. The report stated: "Iran's absence from the second round of negotiations stems from Washington's excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constantly shifting positions, contradictions, and ongoing maritime blockade—which Iran views as a violation of the ceasefire agreement."
Earlier, Tasnim News Agency had reported that Iran would make no decision regarding sending a delegation to Islamabad as long as the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect.
Vice President Vance previously led a delegation to Islamabad on April 11, conducting the highest-level talks between Iran and the U.S. since 1979—though these ended in failure.
On Sunday, security measures in the capital of Pakistan were significantly tightened. AFP reporters observed that roads near the most heavily secured hotels in Islamabad, particularly around the Serena Hotel where the previous round of talks took place, were cordoned off, with police lines, barbed wire, and roadblocks everywhere.
Iran’s Parliament Speaker and head of the previous negotiation team, Ghalibaf, had earlier warned that reaching an agreement between the U.S. and Iran was still far off, citing “many differences” between the two sides.
Tehran harbors deep suspicions toward Washington. Iran was suddenly bombed by a U.S.-Israel coalition in June 2025 and again on February 28 of this year during ongoing negotiations with the United States.
Currently, there is a temporary ceasefire in place, but the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues. On Saturday, Iran announced it would re-impose "strict control" over the strait, reversing its previous announcement the day before about reopening the vital sea route that normally carries one-fifth of global oil and gas trade.
Shortly thereafter, at least three merchant vessels attempting to pass through the strait came under gunfire, including two flying Indian flags. India summoned the Iranian ambassador to lodge a strong protest.
According to data from Marine Traffic, vessel traffic through the strait dropped to zero on Sunday. According to the ship-tracking platform, two liquefied natural gas tankers approached Iran’s Larak Island early in the morning before turning back.
Source: rfi
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1862939020164096/
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