WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD – President Donald Trump announced on April 19 that US negotiators will travel to Islamabad for a second round of Iran peace talks as the two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan approaches its expiry on April 22.
Trump said special envoys Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner will arrive in the Pakistani capital on Monday evening for negotiations. While Trump initially stated Vice President JD Vance would not attend due to security concerns, the White House later confirmed Vance will also join the delegation.
“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it,” Trump posted on Truth Social, warning that without an agreement “the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran”.
However Iran swiftly rejected participation in the new talks. State news agency IRNA reported Tehran’s refusal citing “Washington’s excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, and the ongoing naval blockade” which Iran considers a breach of the ceasefire.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf confirmed the two sides remain “still far from the final discussion”. The key sticking points include Iran’s nuclear program and control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping chokepoint that Tehran has closed amid the US naval blockade.
Security has been visibly tightened in Islamabad ahead of the talks with road closures and armed checkpoints near major hotels where the previous 21-hour negotiating session took place on April 11.
