WANA (Apr 19) – Reports indicate that indirect communications between Tehran and Washington are ongoing, but there are no signs of Iran formally returning to the negotiating table. Informed sources say that Iran has currently decided not to send a negotiating delegation and has clearly conveyed this position to the other side.

 

According to obtained information, message exchanges between Iran and the United States have continued in recent days through a Pakistani intermediary—a channel that had also been used during the first round of talks. These exchanges are seen as a continuation of the same process that ultimately reached a deadlock, which Tehran has described as the result of “U.S. excessiveness and ambition.”

 

Sources close to Iran’s negotiating team say that Tehran has emphasized in its recent messages that as long as Donald Trump’s remarks about a “naval blockade of Iran” remain in place, no negotiations will take place. This condition has effectively put any formal diplomatic movement on hold.

 

On the other side, Donald Trump recently told the New York Post that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to take part in talks with Iran in Islamabad on Tuesday. However, Iranian officials have not confirmed the presence of any delegation at such a meeting.

 

Meanwhile, the absence of any mention of JD Vance in the reports has fueled speculation that the U.S. vice president may have been sidelined from the process, although no official confirmation or denial has been issued.

 

The Islamabad talks, mediated by Pakistan, began on Saturday, April 11, and were held over multiple rounds totaling approximately 21 hours. The negotiations were led by Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, on behalf of Iran and J. D. Vance representing the United States.

 

The negotiations between Iran and the United States in Islamabad concluded without a final agreement, although the two sides reached partial understandings on several issues. Iranian officials have stated that  a final agreement remains out of reach due to “excessive demands and a lack of political will” from senior U.S. officials.