Pakistan’s capital is under lockdown as uncertainty clouds the fate of US-Iran peace talks. President Trump’s Truth Social post on April 19 signaled US readiness for round two in Islamabad, coupled with stern warnings to Iran. Tehran’s response was swift and negative, pointing to ceasefire breaches as reason to skip.
Heavy security blankets Islamabad, with American advance teams arriving Sunday to scout venues. Dawn newspaper notes preparations for a US delegation, but Iran’s firm no casts a long shadow.
Echoing prior demands, Iran wants preconditions met—resolutions on uranium, Hormuz Strait blockade, and Lebanon attacks. Foreign Ministry’s Baghaei confirmed no decision on next talks, while Speaker Ghalibaf stressed preparedness amid fragile trust.
Flashback to first round: Iran’s team landed despite reservations over Israeli actions in Lebanon. Now, a seized Iranian tanker—verified by Trump—intensifies naval standoffs. Iran’s threat to seal Hormuz, briefly lifted then reinstated, spikes regional fears.
Ghalibaf, fresh from initial negotiations, told Mehr News Agency that talks continue alongside defensive measures. ‘The enemy could provoke escalation at any moment,’ he cautioned.
With delegations inbound and Islamabad on edge, the path forks: breakthrough peace or renewed hostilities. Stakeholders from Washington, Tehran, and beyond hold their positions in this high-stakes diplomatic drama.
