US-Iran talks at standoff due to fear of embarrassment

• Iran states it will not send negotiators to Islamabad until the US naval blockade ends.
• Trump told reporters US officials were "heading over now" to Islamabad Monday morning, but delegation had not yet departed by afternoon
• Trump simultaneously threatened "lots of bombs will start going off" if no deal reached

Diplomatic standstill between Washington and Tehran as Iran refuses to join the second round of peace talks. Trump told reporters on Monday that JD Vance was "heading over now," but it's been confirmed that he has not yet left the US and is expected to do so later today.

This delay confirms the uncertainty on the US side and the fear of embarrassment with the possibility of getting stood up by Iran.

On Monday, Iran rejected proceeding with talks until the US naval blockade ends. Pakistani officials have also confirmed that there are no teams of the highest-level delegations in the country yet. 

Contradicting statements 

Earlier on Sunday, Trump had also said that Vance would not go to Pakistan, fearing security risks.

Only later, the White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated Vance would join the delegation.

Tehran

Reuters reported that no Iranian delegations have yet departed for Islamabad, which goes against international media reports that a team of representatives has traveled. 

Iran maintains its firm stance on rejecting the talks until their conditions are met, while the US are adamant on resisting those conditions 

Change in ceasefire expiration date

The truce was officially set to expire on Tuesday, April 21, at 8:00 PM ET (Wednesday, 3:30 AM in Tehran).

However, US President Donald Trump later told Bloomberg in a phone interview that the ceasefire with Iran will expire on Wednesday night, Washington time.