NewKerala.com

US-Iran Talks in Islamabad Face Uncertain Future as Tehran Holds Back

Prospects of US-Iran talks in Islamabad are rapidly fading as Tehran is not ready to meet the US delegation. Iran insists on the US lifting the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as a precondition. The US delegation, led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, is set to travel to Pakistan. Islamabad is under a strict security lockdown for the scheduled talks.

Key Points: US-Iran Talks in Islamabad Fade as Tehran Not Ready

  • Tehran not ready to meet US delegation in Islamabad
  • Iran demands US lift Strait of Hormuz blockade as precondition
  • US delegation includes Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner
  • Islamabad under security lockdown for talks
2 min read

Prospects of US-Iran talks in Islamabad "rapidly fading" as Tehran still "not ready" to meet US delegation, reports Pak's ARY News

Prospects of US-Iran talks in Islamabad are fading as Iran insists on lifting the Strait of Hormuz blockade before meeting the US delegation.

"Prospects for the resumption of the second round of U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad today are rapidly fading, as Tehran is still not ready to meet the U.S. delegation - Kamran Khan"

Islamabad, April 25

In a major development amid rising tensions surrounding diplomatic engagements between Tehran and Washington aimed at achieving a comprehensive resolution to hostilities in West Asia, prospects of peace talks between the two sides in Islamabad are "rapidly fading" as Tehran is still holding back on meeting the travelling US delegation, as per Kamran Khan, chairman of Pakistan-based news outlet ARY News.

In a post on X on Saturday, Khan said that informed sources suggest uncertainty over the continuation of the dialogue, which was scheduled to take place in the Pakistani capital this weekend.

"Prospects for the resumption of the second round of U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad today are rapidly fading, as Tehran is still not ready to meet the U.S. delegation, which was expected to arrive late tonight from Washington," Kahn stated in his post.

He further indicated that Iran has set a firm precondition for resuming negotiations, linked to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil transit route.

According to Khan, the Iranian side insisted that the US should first lift the blockade imposed on Iranian ports by the US Navy in order to hold the second round of negotiations.

"Iran continues to insist that the Americans end their blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as a precondition for opening the second round of negotiations," the post added.

As per recent development, the US delegation, led by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Senior Adviser and son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, is set to travel to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran.

Earlier on Friday, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad, raising prospects of renewed peace talks between Tehran and the United States.

The visit comes after the White House announced that US President Donald Trump will send Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner to Pakistan to engage in talks linked to Tehran, signalling a fresh push for dialogue.

Meanwhile, the city of Islamabad is currently witnessing a "suffocating security lockdown", with authorities sealing major arterial roads and placing the high-security Red Zone under a "strict cordon".

In the last round of talks here, which lasted for 21 hours, both sides were not able to find a breakthrough.

US Vice President JD Vance led the delegation from Washington that time, with Iran's Parliamentary Speaker MB Galibaf leading the side from the Islamic Republic.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sneha F
Honestly, how can talks proceed when neither side trusts the other? Iran wants the blockade lifted first, the US wants Iran to stop enriching uranium first. It's a deadlock waiting to become a crisis. And poor Islamabad — the city is under lockdown while nothing gets resolved. Hope our Indian diplomats are watching closely; we have our own stakes in the region.
M
Michael C
It's interesting to see the US trying to mediate in Islamabad while tensions with Iran remain high. The precondition on the Strait of Hormuz shows Iran is not in a rush to compromise. For India, we need to ensure our own energy routes are secure — any disruption there directly impacts our economy. Also, kudos to Pakistan for trying to host this, but it looks like the meeting might just fall apart.
V
Varun X
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is a huge deal — 20% of global oil passes through there. Iran is right to demand its removal first, but the US won't budge without concessions. These talks are going nowhere, mate. Islamabad is just a backdrop for a bigger power game. Meanwhile, India should step up our own diplomacy with both Iran and the US to protect our interests.
S
Sarah B
The idea of talks in Islamabad was ambitious, but the preconditions show both sides are digging in their heels. The 21-hour first round with no breakthrough was a red flag already. Now with Iran insisting on the blockade lift first, it's hard to see how this progresses. For India, we should be wary — any escalation could spike oil prices and disrupt trade through the Gulf.
R
Ravi K

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50