Doubt surrounds Iran-US talks in Islamabad as ceasefire is set to expire Wednesday
We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats -- Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s chief negotiator
Pakistan is preparing for a new round of talks between the U.S. and Iran, even as U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to throw cold water on hopes for reaching an agreement to end the war.
Trump told Bloomberg News on Monday that he’s “highly unlikely” to renew the ceasefire which is set to expire Wednesday.
Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s chief negotiator and parliament speaker, wrote in a post on X early Tuesday saying “We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats,” and the Islamic Republic has been preparing “to reveal new cards on the battlefield,” according to AP.
Meanwhile according to sources, Diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran remain in a fragile and uncertain state, with a second round of negotiations reportedly being planned in Islamabad, while key questions persist over whether the talks will actually take place.
Iran has yet to formally confirm its participation, and senior officials in Tehran have reiterated that they will not engage in negotiations conducted “under threats,” casting fresh doubt over the prospects for the upcoming meeting.
Despite the uncertainty, the US side is maintaining an optimistic stance and is actively preparing a delegation that is expected to include senior officials, signaling Washington’s continued interest in keeping diplomatic channels open.
However, the broader environment surrounding the talks has become increasingly strained. A fragile ceasefire is nearing its expiration, adding urgency and volatility to the situation.
At the same time, recent US naval actions in the Strait of Hormuz, including reported seizures and heightened maritime enforcement, have drawn strong reactions from Iran, which has described the developments as escalatory.
Tehran has further warned that it could boycott the negotiations or reassess its participation entirely if current conditions persist, underscoring the growing fragility of the diplomatic track.
The United States, meanwhile, continues to push for a negotiated settlement, combining diplomatic engagement with sustained pressure, while Iran maintains that it will not accept talks conducted under military or economic coercion—though it has stopped short of a definitive withdrawal from the process.
Taken together, the situation reflects a widening gap between both sides, where diplomacy remains technically alive but increasingly constrained by distrust and regional tensions. Analysts describe the current moment as diplomacy on the edge: talks remain scheduled in principle, but political confidence is low and military dynamics are heavily influencing the negotiating environment.
