US Vice President J.D. Vance is reportedly en route to Islamabad for a second round of talks with Iran, as the current ceasefire brokered by Pakistan nears its expiration on Wednesday. The first round of negotiations, held in the Pakistani capital last weekend, failed to yield a breakthrough, prompting US President Donald Trump to impose a military blockade on Iranian ports.
Iranian officials have adopted a defiant stance ahead of the talks. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the US of attempting to turn negotiations into “a table of surrender,” insisting that Iran would not accept talks conducted “under the shadow of threats.” He claimed Tehran had spent the past two weeks preparing new military options, stating, “We have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed the hardline position, criticizing what he called the “non-constructive and contradictory” conduct of US officials. He warned that Iranians “will not bow to coercion,” reinforcing Tehran’s refusal to negotiate under duress.
The US side has maintained a firm position. Trump warned on Sunday that if Iran does not accept Washington’s “fair and reasonable deal,” the United States is prepared to “knock out every single power plant, and every single bridge, in Iran.” The White House had initially scheduled the second round of talks for Monday, but confirmation of Iran’s participation was delayed amid internal deliberations in Tehran.
According to reports, Iranian negotiators faced pressure from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to take a harder line and refuse talks unless the US lifted its blockade first. However, following mediation by Pakistani, Egyptian, and Turkish officials, Iran’s negotiating team reportedly received approval from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to attend the talks.
The stakes remain high as the ceasefire deadline approaches. With no agreement in sight, the risk of renewed escalation looms, and international mediators continue to urge both sides toward a diplomatic resolution.
