US-Iran talks yet to be confirmed as Wednesday's ceasefire deadline looms
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- Signals grow of possible US-Iran talks in Islamabad, despite no formal confirmation.
- Rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz complicate fragile diplomacy.
Signs are mounting that indirect talks between the United States and Iran could take place in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, according to Lyse Doucet, though neither side has officially confirmed the meeting.
Read more: Iran says “no decision” yet on joining new round of US peace talks
A source familiar with the matter told the BBC that a US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel to Pakistan “soon,” suggesting preparations are underway behind the scenes.
Trump denies pressure
US President Donald Trump has dismissed claims that Washington is under pressure to secure a deal with Tehran. His comments come as tensions escalate in the region, raising the stakes for any diplomatic breakthrough.
Read more: Pakistan announces start of second round of US-Iran talks in Islamabad
On the Iranian side, signals remain mixed. A foreign ministry spokesperson said Tehran has “no plans for the next round” of talks, while President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a more conciliatory tone.
“Every rational and diplomatic route should be used to reduce tensions,” Pezeshkian said, underscoring Iran’s stated openness to dialogue.
Questions over authority
However, analysts question how much influence Pezeshkian holds over Iran’s foreign policy. Ghoncheh Habibiazad noted that real decision-making power may lie elsewhere within Iran’s political system, complicating negotiations.
Hormuz tensions rise
The diplomatic uncertainty unfolds amid escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, where the US continues to enforce a blockade. The situation intensified after the seizure of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship on Sunday, further straining relations.
Both Tehran and Washington have accused each other of violating ceasefire understandings while issuing fresh threats, according to reporting by Azadeh Moshiri.
The broader regional picture remains volatile. A fragile ceasefire between 'Israel' and Lebanon is holding tenuously, with a second round of talks expected Thursday, a US official said.
Reporting from Jerusalem, Jon Donnison described the truce as “fragile at best,” reflecting ongoing instability across multiple fronts.
