ISLAMABAD/TEHRAN: Iran has not yet made a final decision on whether it will participate in the next round of talks with the United States scheduled to take place in Islamabad, according to Iranian officials.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran was still weighing its options, while sharply criticizing recent US actions. Speaking to state television, he described moves against Iranian vessels as “piracy at sea” and “state terrorism,” raising doubts about Washington’s commitment to meaningful negotiations.
His remarks came after reports that US forces boarded a sanctioned oil tanker in the Indo-Pacific region, allegedly carrying around two million barrels of crude. Days earlier, the US Navy had also seized an Iranian-flagged vessel, claiming it was attempting to bypass sanctions and a naval blockade.
In Islamabad, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan was still awaiting a formal response from Tehran regarding its participation in the proposed second round of peace talks. He noted that Islamabad remains in close contact with Iranian authorities but had not received confirmation as of Tuesday evening.
Tarar emphasized the urgency of the situation, pointing out that the current ceasefire between the US and Iran is nearing its expiration. He added that Pakistan continues diplomatic efforts to persuade Iranian leadership to join the talks.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called on both Washington and Tehran to extend the ceasefire and prioritize dialogue. During a meeting with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker, Dar reiterated that diplomacy remains the only viable path to achieving long-term regional peace and stability.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the United States acknowledged Islamabad’s constructive role in facilitating dialogue and supporting efforts to ease tensions between the two sides.