Hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough in the US–Iran conflict have dimmed as negotiations remain stalled, with both sides unwilling to soften their positions.
Hopes of a
diplomatic breakthrough in the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran
receded as a new week began, with talks aimed at ending the
two-month conflict at a standstill and both Tehran and
Washington showing little willingness to soften their terms.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi left mediator
Pakistan empty-handed at the weekend, and U.S. President Donald
Trump canceled a planned visit to Islamabad by his envoys Steve
Witkoff and Jared Kushner, dealing back-to-back blows to peace
prospects.
The deadlock leaves the world’s biggest economy and a major
oil power locked in a confrontation that has already pushed
energy prices to multi-year highs, stoked inflation and darkened
global growth prospects.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Pakistani Prime
Minister Shehbaz Sharif by phone that Tehran would not enter
“imposed negotiations” under threats or blockade, according to a
statement from the Iranian government.
Pezeshkian said the United States should first remove
“operational obstacles,” including its blockade on Iranian
ports, before negotiators can lay any groundwork to resolve the
conflict.
Araqchi described his visit to Pakistan as “very fruitful.” An
Iranian diplomatic source in Islamabad said Tehran would not
accept “maximalist demands” from the United States.
Trump told reporters in Florida that he scrapped the envoys’
visit because the talks involved too much travel and expense to
consider an inadequate offer from the Iranians. After the
diplomatic trip was called off, Iran “offered a lot, but not
enough,” Trump said.
On Truth Social, he wrote that there was “tremendous infighting
and confusion” within Iran’s leadership.
“Nobody knows who is in charge, including them,” he posted.
“Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to
talk, all they have to do is call!!!”
Adding to regional strains, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu ordered his troops to attack Hezbollah targets in
Lebanon, his office said, further testing a three-week
ceasefire.
Tehran has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz, which
normally carries one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural
gas shipments, while Washington blocks Iran’s oil exports.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt earlier said
the U.S. had seen some progress from the Iranian side and that
Vice President JD Vance was ready to travel to Pakistan. Vance
led an unsuccessful first round of talks in Islamabad this
month.
The U.S.-Iran conflict, in which a ceasefire is in force,
began with U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28. Iran
has since struck Israel, U.S. bases and Gulf states.
Published on April 26, 2026
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