Mazaj News (Web Desk) Iran has, for now, ruled out participating in upcoming negotiations with the United States in Islamabad, according to state media reports, as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continue to rise.
The development follows an order by Donald Trump directing American negotiators to head to Pakistan earlier this week, just days before a temporary ceasefire in the Middle East is set to end.
A major obstacle remains the ongoing U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. The situation escalated further when a U.S. naval destroyer reportedly fired upon and seized an Iranian vessel attempting to avoid interception on Sunday. Tehran has since warned that it may respond to the incident.
State broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) quoted officials as saying there are “currently no plans” for Iran to join the next round of talks with Washington.
Meanwhile, Fars News Agency and Tasnim News Agency, citing unnamed sources, reported that the overall climate for negotiations remains unfavorable, stressing that any dialogue would depend on the lifting of U.S. sanctions and restrictions.