A day that began with expectations of fresh talks between the US and Iran ended in uncertainty, as Donald Trump extended theceasefirewhile Iran signalled it was in no hurry to return to the negotiating table. "Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured… we have been asked to hold our attack," Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that the request came from Asim Munir and Shehbaz Sharif, whose government has been attempting to mediate between Washington and Tehran.
Before Trump’s announcement, Iran’s foreign ministry indicated that Tehran was still undecided about attending the next round of talks with the US, expected to be held in Islamabad later this week.
Also Read:Trump Justifies Hormuz Blockade, Says Iran Losing '$500 Million A Day'
In an interview with the BBC, foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran had entered the first round of talks “with good faith and sense of seriousness, but you have a negotiating party that has shown its lack of seriousness, lack of good faith”.
He also pointed to “flip flops, threats of war crimes” by the US - a reference to Trump’s recent statements where he warned he would “knock out every single power plant, and every single bridge” if Iran did not accept what he described as a “very fair and reasonable deal”.
Uncertainty deepened as the White House confirmed that US Vice President JD Vance had cancelled his planned visit to Pakistan for a second round of negotiations.
At the same time, Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid said Tehran had received signals that Washington may be willing to end its blockade of Iranian ports - a key demand. He added that further talks would depend on that step.
Speaking to CNBC, Trump struck a more forceful tone, saying Iran has “no choice but to send” delegates to Pakistan and warning that he “expects to be bombing” if progress is not made.
With no sign of the US delegation leaving for Islamabad, the situation shifted abruptly.
Trump announced he would extend the ceasefire, which was due to expire today, to give more time for negotiations. However, he made clear that the US naval blockade on Iran would continue until Tehran presents a “unified proposal”.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
