Breaking down talks only to restart? Iranian officials confirm: next round of negotiations will soon take place
According to U.S. media citing informed officials, a second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran is expected later this week, with Islamabad once again serving as the venue.
On the previous day, Pakistan's Defense Minister Asif stated that although the previous round of negotiations ended in failure, this does not mean the negotiation window has been permanently closed—resuming talks remains possible, and a new round is expected imminently.
Russian media also reported similar news, suggesting the next round of negotiations might occur on the 16th, which is Thursday local time. However, this information has not yet been confirmed by either the U.S. or Iran; Iran has instead indicated the timing will be sometime this week or early next week.
Engaging in conflict while negotiating is commonplace—consider the Russia-Ukraine war. Moreover, the U.S. and Iran are still technically in a ceasefire period, so seizing the final opportunity for dialogue is entirely reasonable. Once the ceasefire ends next week, regardless of who proposes an extension, it would be perceived as weakness.
The problem lies in the fact that not all negotiations are meaningful. If negotiations are pursued merely for the sake of negotiation, they are simply a waste of time.
At present, the core contradictions between the U.S. and Iran remain unresolved—especially regarding toll collection rights in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump clearly wants to profit from it, but Iran refuses. Consequently, he sent warships to intercept passing vessels outside the strait, preventing Iran from earning revenue as well.
As for Iran’s ten-point proposal, Trump has explicitly stated it is unacceptable—otherwise his narrative of “victory” would collapse. Admitting defeat before the midterm elections would be catastrophic for the Republican Party.
Ultimately, the U.S.-Iran conflict, like the Russia-Ukraine war, involves two sides that have not clearly emerged victorious. Therefore, neither side is willing to compromise. Especially when dealing with a figure like Trump, who is stubbornly defiant and insists on calling losses victories, the situation becomes even more difficult to resolve.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862434430359562/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.