The second round of U.S.-Iran talks faces uncertainty, with Tehran's participation unclear

The fragile ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran is approaching its expiration date. Pakistan continues to push for preparations for a new round of negotiations between the warring parties. However, whether the talks will proceed as scheduled remains uncertain. Trump stated that no lifting of the blockade on Iranian ports would occur before an agreement is reached.

According to reports from Associated Press and Reuters, U.S. President Trump said the U.S.-Iran talks originally scheduled to begin on Monday in Islamabad would proceed as planned, claiming that the delegation led by Vice President Vance had already departed en route. However, The New York Times cited two U.S. government officials stating that the delegation might actually leave Washington only on Tuesday.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghai reiterated that Tehran has not yet made any decision regarding participation in the talks. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that contradictory and unconstructive signals from the U.S. indicate attempts to force Iran into "surrender," but he emphasized that "Iran will not yield to force."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, during a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, once again stressed the necessity of maintaining the ceasefire between Iran and the United States, which is set to expire overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday.

On regional developments, Israel's military announced it had "eliminated" two groups of armed militants near Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, accusing them of violating the ceasefire, entering what Israel calls the "forward defense zone," and posing an "imminent threat." However, specific numbers were not disclosed. Hezbollah stated it would break through the so-called "red line" restrictions under the banner of "legitimate defense of Lebanon." The Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the U.S. are scheduled to hold their second round of talks in Washington on Thursday, confirmed by the U.S. State Department. The two sides held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades last week. Discussions covered issues such as disarming Hezbollah and achieving a peace agreement. Lebanon has not yet officially confirmed arrangements for the upcoming round of talks.

On the EU side, responding to requests from several countries including Spain, the EU will discuss the association agreement with Israel on Tuesday. Spain has requested termination of the agreement. However, any decision requires unanimous consent among member states—a condition considered difficult to achieve.

Returning to the U.S.-Iran talks: A senior Pakistani official said Pakistan was "confident" in its efforts to bring Iran into dialogue with the U.S., noting positive signals received from Tehran. Nevertheless, Iran has not yet confirmed attendance at the new round of talks. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated there is currently no plan to initiate a second round of negotiations with the U.S., pointing out that the U.S. does not "take diplomacy seriously" and accusing Washington of violating the ceasefire. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi, speaking with his Russian counterpart, said Iran would closely monitor U.S. actions and make appropriate decisions based on circumstances to safeguard its own interests and national security.

Pakistan stated that as the ceasefire deadline approaches, it is simultaneously engaging with both Tehran and Washington. The Interior Minister of Pakistan has met separately with Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan and the U.S. acting ambassador in Islamabad to discuss arrangements and push for the talks to launch on Tuesday or shortly thereafter, as planned.

Tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate. Several days ago, the U.S. attacked and seized a cargo vessel flying the Iranian flag, alleging it attempted to circumvent the blockade. Iran’s military labeled the act as "piracy" and stated it would respond. Iran’s Joint Armed Forces Command has declared it will take retaliatory measures. U.S. military forces reported that since the blockade began, they have directed up to 27 vessels to turn back or return to port, confirming this marks the first interception of an Iranian cargo ship since the blockade was implemented.

Previously, Iran briefly opened the Strait of Hormuz but later withdrew the decision, citing the U.S. failure to lift the blockade on Iranian ports. Iran also stated that under current conditions approaching a "state of quasi-war," it cannot unilaterally resume normal navigation. Iran warned that hundreds of ships are waiting at both ends of the strait for passage authorization. Iran’s First Vice President stated on social media that either a free oil market must be achieved, or significant cost risks must be accepted.

In diplomatic terms, U.S. President Trump said the U.S. is negotiating a new nuclear deal with Iran, asserting it would surpass the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Trump had previously withdrawn from that agreement during his first term, calling it “the worst deal in history.” He also stated that current negotiations “will not be influenced by pressure,” and that the process could be completed relatively quickly.

However, there remains skepticism about whether an agreement can be reached in the short term. The 2015 accord took two years of negotiations involving multiple countries and hundreds of experts across nuclear energy, sanctions, finance, and legal fields. In contrast, the current ceasefire situation faces mounting pressure. The two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is nearing expiration, and President Trump said it is “extremely unlikely” that the ceasefire will be renewed.

Regarding casualties, Iranian state media released data indicating over three thousand deaths within Iran since the outbreak of conflict, including large numbers of civilians and children. Israel and Gulf states have also suffered casualties, with reports of U.S. military personnel killed in the region.

Additionally, on April 20 in Washington, a protest against war with Iran was organized by U.S. veterans and active-duty service members’ families, taking place in the circular hall of the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill. Protesters demanded an end to war against Iran. The organization "About Face" (formerly known as the "Iraq War Veterans Against the War") was founded in 2004 and comprises U.S. veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with other military personnel who have served since the September 11, 2001 attacks. These members originally opposed the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq between 2003 and 2011.

Sources: rfi

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863033143898122/

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