Islamabad: The proposed second round of negotiations between Iran and the United States in Islamabad remains uncertain, as escalating tensions linked to the Strait of Hormuz have cast doubt over Tehran’s participation.
While Washington has indicated that its delegation is already heading to Pakistan, signals from Iran suggest hesitation. According to reports, a US team led by Vice-President JD Vance, along with key officials including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, is expected to arrive in Islamabad shortly for the next phase of dialogue.
However, conflicting reports have added to the uncertainty. While some media outlets claimed the delegation was already en route, others suggested that Vance had not yet departed, leaving the timeline unclear.
Speaking to the New York Post, US President Donald Trump downplayed concerns about the talks collapsing, expressing hope that both sides would engage constructively. He also hinted at the possibility of direct engagement with senior Iranian leadership if progress is made.
On the other hand, Iran has adopted a more cautious tone. President Masoud Pezeshkian publicly pointed to longstanding mistrust toward Washington, citing recent US actions, including the reported blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, as a major obstacle to meaningful negotiations. He stressed that any dialogue must be based on mutual commitments rather than pressure tactics.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has further signaled reluctance, with spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stating that Tehran currently has no concrete plans to attend the upcoming round. He questioned the seriousness of the US approach, describing its recent moves as inconsistent with diplomatic engagement.
Adding to the mixed messaging, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf indicated that discussions with the US were ongoing, but warned that Tehran remained prepared to take necessary steps if tensions escalate.
The diplomatic uncertainty comes against the backdrop of a fragile two-week ceasefire, which is set to expire soon, intensifying the urgency for dialogue. The previous round of talks in Islamabad, which lasted over 20 hours earlier this month, ended without any breakthrough as both sides failed to reconcile key differences.
Experts say the core issues remain deeply complex, with Iran linking negotiations to broader regional developments, including Israeli military actions, while US measures such as naval deployments have further strained trust.
Despite the challenges, Pakistan continues to play a key mediating role, maintaining communication with both sides in an effort to keep diplomatic channels open. Observers suggest that while the path forward remains uncertain, backchannel efforts could still bring both parties to the negotiating table in the coming days.
