Iran says no plans for second round of talks with the US for now

Tehran (Web Desk): Iran has declared that it will not join a second round of negotiations with the United States (US) that had been planned to take place in Pakistan, further underscoring the growing strain between the two countries.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters that there is currently “no plan” for a second round of negotiations with the US as the US is "not serious" about pursuing the diplomatic process, committed "violent acts" and violated ceasefire provisions.

He further conveyed Tehran’s strong objection to ongoing American naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz, saying these movements amount to a breach of the ceasefire understanding and reflect an intensification of military pressure from Washington.

The latest development follows the first round of US-Iran talks held in Islamabad just a few weeks earlier, which reportedly continued for more than 21 hours.

Despite the lengthy discussions, the meeting concluded without any tangible progress, with both sides holding each other responsible for the failure to reach an understanding.

Pakistan had been actively engaged in facilitating dialogue between Washington and Tehran in an effort to de-escalate tensions and keep the negotiation process moving forward.

However, Iran has now signalled that it would only reconsider participation if the United States first reduces what it describes as escalating military pressure.

In a parallel development, China has also strongly criticised the United States following the seizure of an Iranian cargo vessel, a move that has further deepened diplomatic tensions in an already sensitive regional environment.