Iran Rejects Pakistan Talks, Calls US Demands ‘Unacceptable’: Report
Washington: Efforts to broker a ceasefire between Iran and the United States have stalled after Tehran declined to participate in proposed talks in Pakistan, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal cited by India Today.
The report indicates that Iran has informed mediators it will not attend discussions with US officials scheduled to take place in Islamabad in the coming days. Tehran has also described Washington’s demands as “unacceptable,” effectively halting ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at reducing tensions.
Regional countries, including Pakistan, have been actively attempting to facilitate dialogue between the two sides. However, Iran’s refusal represents a significant setback to these mediation efforts, which had sought to bring both nations to the negotiating table and move toward a ceasefire agreement.
Pakistan had earlier expressed its willingness to host the talks and support diplomatic engagement. The country’s Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, stated that Islamabad would be “honoured” to play a role in enabling meaningful discussions. Despite this, uncertainty now surrounds Pakistan’s proposed role as host, given the lack of progress.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump had previously suggested that negotiations with Iran were progressing positively, though he did not provide specific details. In contrast, Iran has denied participating in any Pakistan-facilitated discussions, reiterating its position against engagement under current conditions.
The latest developments underscore the deep divisions between Washington and Tehran, with mediation attempts struggling to gain traction amid ongoing disagreements. The impasse highlights the challenges facing regional and international actors seeking to de-escalate the situation.
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