US Iran News Live Updates: The Round 2 of the Islamabad talks to negotiate a peace deal between the United States (US) and Iran seems to be going nowhere after Tehran refused to participate in the next round of negotiations that are being proposed to take place in Pakistan’s Islamabad on Tuesday, April 21. Iran has blamed the Americans, saying that Washington’s “excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions, and the ongoing naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz”, which it considers a breach of the ceasefire, are the reasons why they don’t trust the United States anymore.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, in a presser on Monday, said that they (Iran) did not start the war and will continue to defend themselves as long as Iran’s interests require.
“Without a doubt, if the US or the Zionist regime commits a new adventure, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be fully prepared to defend the country,” he said.
“Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Baghaei said that the European Union cannot blame Iran solely due to concerns about fuel prices while knowing that the United States is the cause and instigator of this situation.”
Responding to Donald Trump’s threats and ultimatums, Baghaei said, “We do not believe in deadlines or ultimatums for securing Iran’s national interests. If they make a new adventure, we are definitely fully prepared to defend the country.”
The United States has so far not issued any official response on Iran refusing to participate in the second round of talks. These developments surfaced after Donald Trump, on Sunday, took to Truth Social and informed that two US officials, including US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and US Special Envoy to Peace, also his son-in-law Jared Kushner, will be heading to Islamabad to participate in the talks on Tuesday. There were also conflicting reports that Vice President JD Vance would also be heading towards Islamabad, but an official confirmation is awaited.
