(Web Desk) – Reports from US media outlets suggest that a second round of high-level discussions between the United States and Iran could take place in Islamabad this Wednesday. According to the news site Axios, US Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel to Pakistan today, with an Iranian delegation also rumored to arrive shortly after. The goal of these potential talks would be to find a path toward ending current regional conflicts through a formal agreement.
In the lead-up to these reported meetings, US President Donald Trump clarified that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will continue until a satisfactory deal is signed. Taking to social media, Trump stated he is looking for the “best possible” terms and will not settle for anything less, comparing his approach to previous agreements which he labeled as failures. He emphasized that any new deal must ensure Iran never obtains nuclear weapons, promising that a successful outcome would bring “remarkable” stability and prosperity to the Middle East.
Despite the American optimism, Iranian officials have expressed strong hesitation. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the US of trying to force Iran into a “surrender” rather than a fair negotiation, while Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei stated that Iran currently has no plans to send a team to Pakistan. Baghaei noted that Iran lacks trust in the US due to recent ceasefire violations and hostile rhetoric, though he did acknowledge Pakistan’s helpful role in trying to facilitate peace.
In an effort to keep diplomatic doors open, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar recently spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi via telephone. Both leaders agreed to keep working toward a peaceful resolution. However, Iran remains cautious, pointing out that aggressive actions against its commercial ships and contradictory statements from Washington are making it very difficult for formal diplomacy to move forward.
