Iran says it has no plans to join fresh negotiations with the United States, deepening uncertainty just days before a ceasefire deadline in the Middle East.
According to state media, Tehran’s decision follows mounting tensions over Washington’s naval blockade and a confrontation at sea involving an Iranian vessel seized by US forces.
Donald Trump had earlier announced that American negotiators would travel to Pakistan for talks on Monday, expressing optimism about a potential agreement.
“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it,” he said, while also warning of possible strikes on Iran’s infrastructure if negotiations fail.
However, Iranian outlets including IRIB, Fars, and Tasnim reported that “there are currently no plans to participate in the next round of Iran-US talks,” citing the ongoing blockade and what officials described as “unreasonable and unrealistic demands” from Washington.
The situation has been further inflamed by a maritime incident involving a sanctioned Iranian cargo ship, Touska.
Trump said a US destroyer intercepted the vessel after it attempted to breach the blockade, claiming it was stopped “by blowing a hole in the engine room,” and that US Marines had taken control.
Tehran has condemned the action as “armed piracy,” with reports indicating Iran deployed drones toward US naval assets in response and warning of imminent retaliation.
The standoff is closely tied to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global energy supplies. Iran had briefly reopened the waterway following a ceasefire linked to the Hezbollah conflict, but shut it again after the US maintained its blockade.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned that vessels attempting to pass without authorisation would be treated as hostile, raising fears of further escalation in one of the world’s most critical النفط transit routes.
Meanwhile, security has been tightened in Islamabad ahead of the anticipated talks, despite uncertainty over Iran’s participation.
New Daily Prime reported that a US delegation to be led by Vice President JD Vance is expected to arrive, alongside key officials including envoy Steve Witkoff.
A central sticking point remains Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium. While Trump claimed Tehran had agreed to hand it over, Iranian authorities insist the material “is not going to be transferred anywhere,” underscoring the wide gap that still exists between both sides.
