Despite exchanging threats and sending contradictory signals in recent days, the USA and Iran indicated this Monday, the 20th, that they will send a delegation to resume negotiations in Pakistan. The American vice president, JD Vance, is expected to arrive this Tuesday, 21st, in Islamabad, according to the White House. Iranian officials said Mohammad Qalibaf, speaker of Parliament, would also attend.
The new round of negotiations, however, remains surrounded by uncertainty. The two countries exchanged threats on Sunday. Donald Trump stated yesterday that the truce is valid until the evening of this Wednesday, 22nd, (Washington time) and said it is “highly unlikely” that it will be extended if there is no agreement.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the continuation of the war “does not benefit anyone”, but then published a message saying that there was a “deep historical mistrust” hanging over the upcoming negotiations in Islamabad.
In private conversations, Iranian officials say they are ready to resume negotiations in Pakistan. In public, however, regime representatives are more cautious. Yesterday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei refused to confirm whether Iran will participate in the talks in Islamabad. Asked about the Americans’ intention to send a team of diplomats to Pakistan, he was dry: “That’s their problem.”
Contradictions
The contradictory statements were a repeat of signals sent by Iran before the first round of talks, which ended without a deal. At the weekend, the Iranians had raised doubts about holding a new meeting. Yesterday, the broadcaster Al-Jazeera, citing Pakistani government sources, stated that Iranian representatives are arriving in Pakistan today.
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The two-week truce, which came into force on the 8th, is constantly being tested in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and gas trade, which Iran is trying to control. The closure of navigation in the maritime passage caused fuel prices to soar, which led the US to block Iranian ports. Washington’s objective is to remove the Tehran regime’s largest source of revenue.
On Sunday, the 19th, an American navy destroyer fired at an Iranian freighter, after the vessel tried to break through the US siege. The Americans seized the ship. Iran’s armed forces classified the act as “piracy”, promising to retaliate soon. The US Navy said yesterday that it has prevented 27 ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports since the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz began a week ago.
Preparation
Yesterday, Pakistani officials said they were ready for the second round of negotiations, which could probably begin tomorrow. Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said “security measures have been taken”, including the deployment of 20,000 police and military personnel in Islamabad.
Security would be the biggest concern for the Iranians, as many of their employees were killed in American and Israeli attacks in Iran. The Serena Hotel in Islamabad, host of the first round of negotiations, was completely emptied for the meeting. (WITH INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES)
