Iran Refuses US Talks After Ship Seizure in Strait of Hormuz, Says “No Plans for New Round”

Iran has announced it will not take part in a planned new round of talks with the United States, as tensions escalate following the seizure of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. The decision comes amid renewed diplomatic uncertainty and growing friction between Tehran and Washington.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the country has “no plans regarding a new round of talks”, arguing that the US has violated the ceasefire since its implementation. Tehran also accused Washington of undermining negotiations through military actions, including what it described as a maritime blockade and the seizure of the Iranian vessel.

The incident involving the cargo ship, which the US said was intercepted after attempting to evade restrictions, has sharply increased tensions. Iran condemned the move as “armed piracy” and signaled possible retaliation. Officials in Tehran said the ship had been travelling from China, while warning that previous negotiations were already compromised by US actions.

At the same time, diplomatic activity elsewhere continues to shift. US President Donald Trump had earlier said his team was heading to Islamabad for potential talks, although it remains unclear whether senior US representatives will attend. Pakistan has tightened security in the capital, deploying around 20,000 personnel and restricting movement in key areas.

Iranian officials insist they cannot ignore what they describe as repeated violations during earlier negotiations. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tehran had already submitted a 10-point proposal and discussed it in previous rounds, but accused Washington of failing to respect agreements from the outset.

“The US violated the ceasefire from the beginning of its implementation,” the spokesperson said, adding that Iran had informed the Pakistani mediator of its concerns. Tehran also reiterated that it would continue defending what it called its national interests if further aggression occurs.

The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the dispute. Iranian officials say the waterway is open under a coordinated legal and security framework, while also warning that passage is subject to conditions set by Iranian authorities. China has also urged restraint, calling the situation “sensitive and complicated” and warning against further escalation that could disrupt global transit routes.

Analysts say the latest developments risk undermining any chance of diplomatic progress. Some warned that the seizure of the ship could “torpedo the chances of a reasonable outcome” in Islamabad, while others said both sides are operating under intense pressure as tensions continue to build.

Inside Iran, officials have also pushed back against claims that the country miscalculated its strategy. One Iranian academic described the situation as a “negotiating dynamic”, arguing that escalation and de-escalation are being used tactically. However, he also warned that if no agreement is reached, “the war will resume”.

Iranian representatives have repeatedly criticized US policy during the conflict, saying Washington is not acting in good faith. “This game is ongoing instead of them playing a positive role,” the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, adding that Iran does not expect “the Americans to say the truth”.

Separately, Iran’s ambassador to Russia denied reports of direct Russian military involvement in the conflict, saying cooperation between the two countries predates the war and is unrelated to current tensions. He also stressed that both sides remain in close consultation on broader regional and infrastructure projects.

Tehran maintains that past US and Israeli military actions have failed to achieve their objectives, with Iranian officials arguing that pressure tactics will not succeed in future negotiations. “What Trump did not achieve during the war, he will no longer be able to achieve during negotiations,” one senior Iranian diplomat said, adding that any future talks would require what he described as a fair and balanced compromise.