Iran Insists No Plans To Attend Talks With US In New Blow To Peace Efforts
by RFE/RL's Radio Farda · Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty · JoinIran insists it has no plans to attend a new round of negotiations with the United States as uncertainty grows over efforts aimed at keeping their nearly two-month war from reigniting.
US Vice President JD Vance was expected to travel to Pakistan, the venue for the negotiations, on April 20. But Iran's Foreign Ministry appeared to pour cold water over the prospect of more talks with both sides claiming violations to a temporary cease-fire that has allowed for the negotiations.
"As of now...we have no plans for the next round of negotiation, and no decision has been made in this regard," Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said in a press briefing.
The uncertainty over the talks comes as a two-week cease-fire between Iran and the United States is due to expire on April 22. Both sides have accused each other of violating the fragile truce.
Even if the talks in Islamabad proceed, Tehran and Washington remain far apart on key issues, including Iran's nuclear program and its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, which the Islamic republic has effectively closed since the US-Israeli bombing campaign began on February 28.
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Cease-Fire 'Violations'
During his weekly press briefing, Baqaei said the United States was not serious about pursuing diplomacy, citing what it called "violations" of the truce.
He said a US attack on an Iranian cargo ship early on April 19, the ongoing US naval blockade on Iranian ports, and delays in implementing a truce in Lebanon were all "clear violations of the cease-fire."
Trump said US forces intercepted the Iranian-flagged ship as it tried to pass through a US maritime blockade and have "full custody" of it.
Iran's joint military command claimed the move violated the cease-fire and threatened to retaliate "soon" against the "armed piracy," according to state media.
Tehran has said it will not participate in talks if the US blockade of Iranian ports is in effect, while Trump has said it will not be lifted until a peace deal is signed.
Earlier in the week, there were hopes that the Strait of Hormuz, which usually accounts for around one-fifth of global oil trade, would open after more than a month of being closed as Tehran announced it was open to commercial shipping traffic.
However, Iranian forces fired upon at least three civilian ships, two of which reportedly were Indian and one French-flagged vessel, and announced the reclosing of the strait.
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Lebanon Front
Iran also said delays in implementing a cease-fire in Lebanon, where Israel is waging war against Hezbollah, an ally of Tehran, was also a violation of the truce.
Hezbollah is both a militant group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon. It is considered a terrorist organization by the United States, while the European Union has only blacklisted its armed wing.
Israel and Lebanon agreed a separate 10-day cease-fire that went into effect on April 17. The truce included Hezbollah, which entered the war to defend Iran and has fired rockets at Israel. Both sides have both accused each other of violating the truce.
The cease-fire ended weeks of heavy fighting between Hezbollah and Israel, which invaded southern Lebanon. But Israeli forces continue to occupy much of the south with the aim of maintaining a buffer zone to shield northern Israel from Hezbollah attacks. Hezbollah has said it maintains the "right to resist" Israeli occupation.
Israel's military on April 20 warned Lebanese civilians against returning to southern Lebanon. But that has not stopped thousands of people displaced in the war from making their way back to their homes.
Iran Insists No Plans To Attend Talks With US In New Blow To Peace Efforts
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