Mohammad Jafar Asadi, a senior figure in Iran’s military central command, said evidence showed that Washington was not committed to its promises or agreements, according to remarks published by Iran’s Fars news agency.“A renewed conflict between Iran and the United States is likely,” Asadi said, adding that previous developments had demonstrated that the United States could not be trusted to uphold commitments.

His comments came hours after President Donald Trump said he was dissatisfied with a new Iranian negotiating proposal delivered through mediator Pakistan on Thursday.“At this moment I’m not satisfied with what they’re offering,” Trump told reporters, blaming delays in diplomacy on what he described as “tremendous discord” inside Iran’s leadership.

“Do we want to go and just blast the hell out of them and finish them forever or do we want to try and make a deal?” Trump said, adding that he would prefer to avoid military escalation “on a human basis.”The war, launched by the United States and Israel in late February, has been paused since April 8 after a ceasefire took hold following weeks of strikes across the region.

One round of peace talks in Pakistan failed to produce a breakthrough.Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, said on Friday that Tehran had never avoided negotiations but would not accept peace terms imposed by outside powers.

The White House has not disclosed details of the latest Iranian proposal. Axios reported that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff had proposed amendments that would return Iran’s nuclear program to the center of negotiations, including demands that Tehran not move enriched uranium from bombed facilities or restart activity there during talks.

News of the proposal briefly pushed global oil prices down by nearly 5%, though prices remain significantly above pre-war levels because of continued disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy shipping routes.Iran has maintained effective control over the strait since the conflict began, severely disrupting flows of oil, gas and fertilizer exports, while the United States has responded with a blockade targeting Iranian ports.

Washington said late Friday it had approved major arms sales to regional allies, including a $4 billion Patriot missile deal with Qatar and nearly $1 billion in precision weapons systems for Israel.In Washington, lawmakers are also debating whether Trump violated the legal deadline for seeking congressional approval for the military campaign.

Administration officials argue that the ceasefire paused the 60-day clock requiring congressional authorization, while opposition Democrats dispute that interpretation.Trump told congressional leaders that “there has been no exchange of fire between United States Forces and Iran since April 7” and said hostilities had effectively “terminated.”Inside Iran, the economic impact of the war continues to deepen.

New U.S. sanctions targeting Iranian currency firms and disruptions to trade have worsened inflation, which has reportedly surged above 50%.“For many people, paying rent and even buying food has become difficult,” one Tehran resident said, reflecting growing public anxiety over the prolonged crisis.Supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Friday urged business owners to avoid layoffs and called for what he described as “economic and cultural jihad” in response to mounting economic pressure and external threats.

Trump said he had ordered envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner not to travel to Islamabad, where mediation efforts had been centered following the arrival of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for talks with Pakistani officials.

Speaking before departing Florida and later in comments to Fox News, Trump said the revised Iranian offer failed to meet U.S. expectations and dismissed the value of sending negotiators for extended talks.“I’ve told my people a little while ago they were getting ready to leave, and I said, ‘Nope, you’re not making an 18-hour flight to go there,’” Trump said, according to Fox News.

“We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want.”In a post on Truth Social, Trump added that there was “tremendous infighting and confusion” within Iran’s leadership and said, “Nobody knows who is in charge, including them.”

The cancellation dealt a setback to mediation efforts in Islamabad, where Araghchi had concluded meetings with Pakistani leaders without direct contact with U.S. representatives.

Araghchi described the visit as “very fruitful,” while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that Tehran would not accept what he called “imposed negotiations” conducted under threats or blockade.

Iran urged Washington to remove operational restrictions, including measures affecting Iranian ports, while maintaining that it would not accept maximalist demands.“Principally, Iranian side will not accept maximalist demands,” an Iranian diplomatic source in Islamabad told Reuters.

Tensions remain elevated across the region despite a ceasefire currently in force after a conflict that began on Feb. 28 with U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Tehran later launched retaliatory strikes against Israel, U.S. military bases and Gulf states, escalating fears of a broader regional war.

The standoff has also disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor, while U.S. restrictions on Iranian oil exports remain in place, pushing energy prices to multi-year highs and adding pressure to global inflation and growth.

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered forces to strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon “forcefully,” testing a fragile three-week ceasefire and underscoring the broader instability surrounding the negotiations.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had said earlier that Washington had seen some progress from Iran in recent days and hoped for further movement over the weekend.Vice President JD Vance, who led an earlier unsuccessful round of indirect talks in Islamabad this month, had also been prepared to travel again if negotiations advanced.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran still had an opportunity to reach an agreement if it made verifiable commitments on its nuclear program.“All they have to do is abandon a nuclear weapon in meaningful and verifiable ways,” Hegseth said.

Iran’s foreign ministry later confirmed that no direct meeting with U.S. officials had been planned during Araghchi’s visit and said Tehran would instead convey its position through Pakistan as mediator.

A Pakistani source involved in the negotiations said discussions were “on track” for Wednesday, despite earlier indications from Iran that it might not attend. U.S. President Donald Trump could join the talks either in person or virtually if an agreement is reached, the source added.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel to Pakistan for the переговоры, according to media reports, while Iranian officials said Tehran was “positively reviewing” whether to send a delegation, without confirming participation.

The diplomatic push comes as a two-week ceasefire in the conflict, which began on February 28, nears its end. A Pakistani source said the truce is expected to expire late Wednesday U.S. time.Financial markets reacted to signs of renewed diplomacy, with oil prices falling more than $1 and equities rising in early Asian trading amid expectations that talks could resume.

Brent crude traded near $94 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate fell below $88.Tensions remain elevated, however, following disputes over the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and the recent interception of an Iranian vessel.

Tehran condemned the seizure and warned Washington would bear responsibility for any escalation.Iranian officials also reiterated that they would not negotiate under pressure. Senior figures, including Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, accused Washington of attempting to force concessions through economic and military pressure.

Washington has said it seeks an agreement that would prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons while stabilizing energy markets. Tehran, for its part, is seeking relief from sanctions and an end to hostilities without compromising its nuclear program.

The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz remains central to the negotiations, as the waterway handles a significant share of global oil and gas shipments and has been affected by restrictions imposed during the conflict.

Pakistan, acting as a mediator, has deployed nearly 20,000 security personnel in Islamabad ahead of the potential talks, underscoring the high stakes and security concerns surrounding the negotiations.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News on Monday, Vance said the United States had clearly defined its “red lines” during negotiations held over the weekend in Pakistan, where he led a U.S. delegation in discussions with Iranian officials.“I really think the ball is in the Iranian court, because we put a lot on the table,” Vance said, adding that the U.S. position leaves no room for flexibility on key issues.

He identified two core demands: U.S. control over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and the establishment of a robust verification mechanism to ensure Tehran does not develop nuclear weapons capability. “It’s one thing for the Iranians to say that they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon.

It’s another thing for us to put in place the mechanism to ensure that’s not going to happen,” he said.The talks in Islamabad marked the highest-level engagement between the two sides in years but ended without an agreement to halt the more than five-week conflict involving U.S. and Israeli forces against Iran.

Vance said that, as part of a two-week ceasefire agreed last week, Washington also expects Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route that has been effectively closed by Iranian forces.

Despite the lack of a deal, both sides have indicated a willingness to continue discussions, with diplomatic efforts ongoing through intermediaries to prevent further escalation.

The announcement came a day after talks in Pakistan ended without agreement, underscoring persistent divisions over terms to end a conflict launched on Feb. 28 by the United States and Israel. The blockade is aimed at pressuring Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and accept a broader settlement addressing its nuclear and missile programs, as well as its regional activities.

Trump indicated that diplomatic channels remain open, saying Iran had reached out to explore a possible resolution. “We’ve been called by the right people and they want to work a deal,” he told reporters outside the White House.

Iran signaled conditional openness to negotiations. Judiciary chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei said discussions must proceed on the basis of “principles and logic,” while other officials warned that Tehran would respond if the situation escalates.

The blockade drew sharp reactions from Iran, which threatened countermeasures targeting ports across the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, raising the risk that the two-week ceasefire declared earlier could collapse before its April 22 expiry.

At the core of the dispute remain differences over Iran’s nuclear program and control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply typically passes. Its closure has already disrupted markets and driven up oil prices.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who led the American delegation in the recent talks, said Iran had not provided assurances it would refrain from pursuing nuclear weapons capability. Tehran has long denied such intentions while defending its right to civilian nuclear development, including uranium enrichment.

Iran’s negotiating position, articulated by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, emphasized sovereignty over the strait, an end to hostilities, and compensation for wartime damage.

Iranian officials also dismissed the blockade as exaggerated, with parliamentary spokesperson Ebrahim Rezaei describing it as “more bluffing than reality.”
Pakistan has indicated it may facilitate further dialogue, with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressing willingness to host another round of talks, though no timeline has been confirmed.

Both sides have maintained firm public positions, with Trump warning that any Iranian attempt to challenge the blockade would be met with force, while Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the measure risked further destabilizing the global economy.

Araqchi said negotiations in Islamabad had been conducted in good faith but were undermined by what he described as “maximalism” and shifting U.S. demands, adding that the talks came close to producing an agreement before breaking down.

The remarks followed an announcement by Donald Trump that U.S. naval forces would begin blockading vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports, a move that risks destabilizing a fragile ceasefire reached after weeks of conflict.

US Central Command said the blockade would take effect at 10 a.m. ET (1400 GMT) and would apply to all maritime traffic linked to Iranian ports across the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, while maintaining freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz for vessels not bound for Iran.

Trump said the United States would act against ships paying what he described as “illegal tolls” to Iran and warned that any attack on U.S. or commercial vessels would trigger a strong military response.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said any approach by foreign military vessels to the strait would be treated as a violation of the ceasefire and met with a “decisive” response.

Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf dismissed the U.S. position, saying Tehran would respond in kind. “If you fight, we will fight, and if you come forward with logic, we will deal with logic,” he said, according to state media.

The talks in Islamabad marked the first direct engagement between the United States and Iran in more than a decade and followed a ceasefire announced earlier in the week after six weeks of conflict that has disrupted global energy markets and pushed oil prices above $100 per barrel.

JD Vance, who led the U.S. delegation, said no agreement had been reached, while signaling that diplomacy could continue. Trump also described the talks as “very friendly” and expressed confidence that Iran might return to negotiations.

A U.S. official said key sticking points included demands for Iran to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle enrichment facilities, transfer highly enriched material and end support for regional groups, alongside ensuring open access to the strait.

Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, said Tehran remained open to a “balanced and fair agreement,” blaming Washington for the breakdown and urging a return to international legal frameworks.

Shipping data showed that three fully laden supertankers transited the strait on Saturday, suggesting that maritime flows had not yet been fully disrupted despite the looming blockade.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said it was “imperative” that both parties maintain their ceasefire commitments, adding that Islamabad would continue facilitating dialogue between Washington and Tehran following the inconclusive talks.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who led the American delegation, said the absence of a deal was “bad news for Iran much more than it’s bad news for the United States,” reiterating Washington’s demand for a firm commitment from Tehran not to pursue nuclear weapons capability.

He said the United States had made its “red lines” clear, including preventing Iran from acquiring both nuclear weapons and the means to rapidly develop them.

Iranian officials rejected the U.S. position, with state-linked Tasnim news agency reporting that “excessive” American demands had hindered progress. Tehran signaled that discussions would continue, with technical teams expected to exchange documents in follow-up engagements.

Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said the U.S. had failed to build trust during the talks despite what he described as “forward-looking” proposals from the Iranian side. He emphasized longstanding skepticism rooted in past negotiations, saying Washington must demonstrate credibility before progress can be made.

Iran’s foreign ministry also downplayed the outcome, stating that no agreement had been expected in a single session and expressing confidence that diplomatic contacts would continue with Pakistan and other regional actors.

Former Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif attributed the breakdown to what he called U.S. attempts to “dictate” terms, warning that negotiations with Iran would not succeed under unilateral conditions.

The Islamabad meeting marked the highest-level direct engagement between the United States and Iran in more than a decade and the most senior talks since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The discussions were aimed at halting a conflict that began over six weeks ago and has driven up global oil prices while threatening key maritime routes.Central to the negotiations was the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of global energy supplies.

The U.S. military said it was preparing to ensure safe navigation through the waterway, including mine-clearing operations, while Iranian state media denied any U.S. naval transit in the area.

Tehran has demanded control over the strait, war reparations, and broader ceasefire arrangements extending to regional theaters including Lebanon. U.S. officials have focused on securing freedom of navigation and curbing Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities.

The talks took place under tight security in Islamabad, where thousands of paramilitary forces were deployed. Pakistani officials described fluctuating tensions during the discussions, with “mood swings” and intermittent progress reported by sources familiar with the negotiations.

The Iranian delegation, which arrived dressed in black to mourn those killed in the conflict, also raised concerns about a U.S. airstrike on a school near a military compound, an incident the Pentagon has said is under investigation.

Despite the impasse, analysts noted the seniority and size of the Iranian delegation as an indication of Tehran’s willingness to engage, even as deep mistrust continues to define the diplomatic landscape.

Iran and the United States have agreed to a conditional two-week ceasefire, marking a temporary pause in hostilities that have disrupted regional stability and threatened global energy supply routes, according to statements from officials in both countries and mediators involved in the talks.

The agreement provides for an immediate halt to attacks and the reopening of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for global oil shipments. Iranian authorities said safe passage would be coordinated with their armed forces during the ceasefire period, indicating continued operational control over the waterway.

The announcement was confirmed by Shehbaz Sharif, who said the ceasefire would apply “everywhere including Lebanon and elsewhere” and take effect immediately. Sharif also invited both sides to send delegations to Islamabad for talks aimed at reaching a longer-term settlement, positioning Pakistan as a key mediator in the process.

Officials in Washington and Tehran offered differing emphases on the agreement. Donald Trump described the ceasefire as a “total and complete victory” for the United States, stating that US military objectives had been achieved and that discussions toward a broader peace arrangement were already advanced. He added that Washington would suspend further military action, including previously stated threats against Iranian civilian infrastructure, contingent on compliance with the terms of the agreement.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi confirmed that Tehran would halt what he described as “defensive operations” to facilitate negotiations. He said Iran had submitted a 10-point proposal that Washington had accepted as the basis for talks, while also reviewing a separate 15-point proposal put forward by the United States.

Despite these developments, there were inconsistencies in how the ceasefire’s geographic scope was described. Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the agreement did not extend to Lebanon, contradicting assertions by Pakistani officials and some US sources that the ceasefire would apply across multiple fronts. The discrepancy highlights ongoing uncertainty over the terms and implementation of the arrangement.

No official text of either proposal has been publicly released. However, details reported by Iranian state media suggest that Tehran’s 10-point plan includes provisions for maintaining its authority over the Strait of Hormuz, securing the lifting of sanctions, unfreezing overseas assets, and obtaining compensation for damages.

The proposal is also reported to call for the withdrawal of US forces from the region, recognition of Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities, and a binding United Nations resolution to formalize any final agreement.

Iranian diplomatic messaging has reinforced these positions, emphasizing continued control over strategic waterways and a cessation of hostilities across multiple regional theaters. Tehran has also indicated that any lasting agreement would need to address broader geopolitical and economic demands, including sanctions relief and security guarantees.

By contrast, the US proposal is reported by regional sources cited by CNN to focus on nuclear and security constraints. The 15-point framework is believed to include commitments by Iran to forgo nuclear weapons development, surrender highly enriched uranium, limit its defense capabilities, and curtail support for regional proxy groups. It also includes provisions to ensure the continued operation of the Strait of Hormuz as an open international shipping route.

Iran has previously rejected these terms, describing them as “excessive, unrealistic and unreasonable,” suggesting that significant gaps remain between the two sides despite the temporary ceasefire.The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is a central component of the agreement, given its importance to global energy markets.

Any disruption to shipping through the waterway has immediate implications for oil prices and supply chains, making the ceasefire’s maritime provisions a key focus for international stakeholders.

The two-week timeframe underscores the provisional nature of the arrangement, with both sides framing the ceasefire as an opportunity to advance negotiations rather than a definitive resolution. Diplomatic engagement is expected to intensify in the coming days, particularly with the proposed talks in Islamabad.

While the agreement signals a de-escalation after a period of heightened tensions, the absence of a publicly verified framework and conflicting statements from key actors point to a fragile understanding that will depend on sustained diplomatic coordination and adherence to interim commitments.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iranian negotiators were “begging for a deal,” dismissing Tehran’s public stance as inaccurate. Araghchi, speaking on state television, said there had been no direct dialogue with Washington, adding that exchanges via intermediaries did not constitute negotiations.

He said Iran was conveying its positions and warnings through friendly countries.The divergence in messaging comes as military operations continue. U.S. and Israeli forces have conducted extensive strikes on Iranian targets since late February, while Iran has launched retaliatory attacks on Israel, U.S. bases, and Gulf states.

A U.S. Central Command briefing said more than 10,000 targets had been struck, with significant degradation of Iran’s naval, missile, and drone capabilities.

The conflict has disrupted global energy flows, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit route for oil and liquefied natural gas. Its effective closure has triggered what officials describe as a severe energy shock, driving up fuel prices and straining supply chains across industries from aviation to agriculture.

Sultan Al Jaber, chief executive of ADNOC, described restrictions on Hormuz as “economic terrorism,” warning of global consequences. Governments are considering intervention measures similar to those deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic, as businesses face rising costs and weakening demand.

The World Food Programme has warned that prolonged disruption could push tens of millions into acute hunger, with farmers and fisheries already facing fuel shortages.

A 15-point U.S. proposal, conveyed to Iran through Pakistan, includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, curbing Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, and halting support for regional allies, according to Israeli sources familiar with the plan.

The White House has not publicly detailed the proposal.Israeli officials expressed skepticism that Tehran would accept the terms and voiced concern that U.S. negotiators could offer concessions.

Iran, according to regional sources, has insisted that Lebanon be included in any ceasefire framework involving Washington and Israel.

Financial markets reflected fading optimism over a near-term resolution. Global equities weakened on Thursday while oil prices resumed their upward trajectory. Analysts cited diminishing expectations of a ceasefire as a key driver of volatility.

The Pentagon is preparing to deploy additional airborne troops to the Gulf, supplementing Marine units already en route, according to sources. The buildup is intended to expand military options as the conflict risks widening.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the situation could escalate further, urging a shift from military confrontation to diplomacy.

A Clear-Edged Breakdown of Iran’s Strategic Shift Toward Saudi Arabia

According to political expert Mario Nawfal, Iran has taken a step it previously insisted it would never consider: requesting Saudi Arabia’s assistance in reopening nuclear talks with the United States. This outreach reflects a significant shift in Tehran’s approach and signals a moment shaped less by diplomatic confidence and more by mounting pressure.

A letter from President Masoud Pezeshkian was delivered to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shortly before the Saudi leader’s visit to the White House. The communication notably departed from Iran’s traditional revolutionary tone. Instead of confrontational rhetoric, it emphasised openness to dialogue and explicitly appealed for support in re-engaging with Washington.

The fact that Tehran is directing such a request to Riyadh—its longstanding regional rival—indicates that circumstances are tightening around Iran’s strategic environment.

Two core factors underpin this sudden shift in posture.

The first is fear. Israeli strikes in June targeted Iranian nuclear sites and, more importantly, undermined Iran’s sense of invulnerability. Tehran now perceives the possibility of further action if diplomatic efforts break down.

The second factor is survival. Iran’s economic situation continues to deteriorate, with the rial weakening sharply and energy shortages disrupting daily life. Public frustration is intensifying as these pressures accumulate.

Alongside these domestic concerns, Iran’s broader regional influence is eroding. Hezbollah is weakened, Hamas has been significantly damaged, and the Syrian government under Bashar al-Assad has fallen. Collectively, these developments are rapidly reducing Tehran’s regional leverage.

In contrast, Saudi Arabia possesses advantages Tehran currently lacks: direct influence in Washington, a personal channel to former President Donald Trump, and regional authority grounded in economic strength, energy resources, and political stability. While Oman and Qatar are capable of transmitting messages, Saudi Arabia has the capacity to shape outcomes.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has indicated an openness to facilitating diplomatic progress—not as an act of benevolence, but because a U.S.–Iran conflict would generate serious consequences across the Gulf region.

Both Iran and the United States publicly endorse diplomacy, yet neither is willing to accommodate the other’s demands. Iran’s clerical establishment maintains that negotiations cannot occur “under threat.” However, the current threats surrounding Tehran are also the primary drivers pushing it toward engagement.