US President Donald Trump has made a significant announcement regarding the ceasefire negotiations between the United States and Iran. Trump stated that positive news concerning the second round of talks with Iran could emerge by Friday, while according to the President, the possibility of peace talks has been revived within the next 36 to 72 hours. This development was reported by the New York Times.
Iran's Stance and Decision Pending
Contrary to President Trump's optimistic outlook, Iran stated on Wednesday that it has not yet decided whether to participate in the new round of negotiations with the United States. " He further added that Iran has not yet reached a decision on whether to attend the new round of peace talks scheduled for this weekend.
Uncertainty Over Islamabad Talks
The second round of talks is scheduled to take place in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, this weekend. However, the participation of both parties has not yet been confirmed. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely on Tuesday, a move that has added further ambiguity to the status of the upcoming negotiations.
Preconditions and the Blockade Issue
An Iranian diplomat clarified on Wednesday that the removal of the US blockade is a mandatory precondition for any further ceasefire talks in Islamabad. Mujtaba Ferdousi Pour, the head of the Iranian mission in Egypt, told the Associated Press that discussions are ongoing with Pakistani mediators to implement Iran's conditions. He emphasized that Iran wouldn't negotiate under threats and wouldn't travel to Islamabad until the blockade is lifted.
Accusations Against the United States
Ferdousi Pour further accused the United States of using the ceasefire as a strategic window to mobilize military forces against Iran. He claimed that there is a discrepancy between the private communications and public actions of the US administration, stating that they say one thing behind the scenes but act differently in public. The situation remains fluid as the 36 to 72-hour window mentioned by Trump approaches.