New Delhi, Apr 21: The second round of talks, which the US and Pakistan said were planned in Islamabad from today, appear to be in a limbo as Iran is projecting itself as an uninterested party.
Pakistan, the mediator, has made all preparations for the top-level talks between the US and Iran.
Massive security arrangements, along with curbs, have been imposed in Islamabad for the anticipated guests. Advance security teams of the US, with protective vehicles and equipment, have already reached Islamabad.
US Vice President JD Vance and top officials are expected to leave for Pakistan today, according to CNN.
However, uncertainty looms large over the prospects of the talks as Iran is not confirming its participation even as the two-week ceasefire is slated to expire tomorrow.
“No Iranian diplomatic delegation – be it a primary or secondary team, or an initial or follow-up mission – has travelled to Islamabad, Pakistan, so far,” state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) reported at 11.26 am (Iran time).
Apparently, Iran has hardened its stance after the US Navy attacked and seized its cargo vessel in the Arabian Sea on April 19.
While vowing to retaliate, Iran is demanding immediate release of the ship, along with its sailors, crew and their families.
Trump, who is threatening to bomb Iran again if no agreement is reached by tomorrow, had earlier claimed that Tehran has agreed to ship its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the US.
The claim was quickly ridiculed by Iran, saying its nuclear assets are a national treasure and would not be sent anywhere.
During the first round of talks in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, Vance and his team of negotiators proposed a 20-year pause on Iran enriching uranium. But Iran is not ready to accept it.
Strait of Hormuz:
The world breathed a sigh of relief last Friday when it was announced that Iran would “reopen” the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for international energy flows, effectively shut for almost two months.
But the reprieve was short-lived as Trump said the US would impose a blockade on movement of ships to and fro Iran.
This was followed by a further escalation on Sunday (April 19) when the US Navy attacked and captured an Iranian cargo ship in the Arabian Sea when it was returning home from China.
