Iranian authorities on Monday said they will not send any delegation to Pakistan for the next round of negotiations if the US does not lift its naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz.
Sources said the Iranian ambassador to Pakistan has also confirmed the government’s similar stance.
According to inside sources, both the Pakistani Prime Minister and Foreign Minister called the Iranian President and Foreign Minister in a bid to convince them to take part in the next round of negotiations. The Supreme National Security Council of Iran also convened to decide on the matter.
However, the Iranian side has expressed scepticism over the next round of talks, believing they may not get the deal they want.
Their major concerns stem from the fact that a deal would take months to finalise, and then the US might not lift decades-old sanctions on Iran, and all of its frozen assets may not be returned.
Besides, they believe this could likely be a deception by the United States and Israel, as had happened in the previous rounds of negotiations that were derailed by the two countries in June 2025 and on February 28 this year.
Reports from local Iranian media confirmed that thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets to support the government’s decision, with some expressing concern while others voiced complete distrust towards the US.
Protesters in Iran have urged government officials not to back down from their stand, which they believe is right.
Meanwhile, Islamabad has intensified its preparations for the next round of talks, with the capital in a state of lockdown and several places designated as red zones in wake of the upcoming meeting.
Besides, a US C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft has also landed in Islamabad over the past 24 hours and more are expected to arrive in the coming days.
Discussions are taking place between Pakistani officials and the Iranian side, who, according to reported sources, are trying to convince them to sit for the next round of talks.
Also, American security teams have already arrived in Pakistan with armoured vehicles, hinting that talks are likely to happen despite the prevailing tensions.
Also read: Fresh US-Iran talks likely in Pakistan on Tuesday
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