Washington: US Vice President J D Vance’s trip to Islamabad for a second round of ceasefire talks with Iran has been put on hold after Tehran failed to respond positively, deepening a diplomatic deadlock days before a fragile truce expires.
A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that Vance “is still in the United States and has not yet departed for Pakistan”, as prospects for negotiations remain unclear.
President Donald Trump had said he would send a US delegation to Pakistan before the two-week ceasefire ends on April 22. Iran is considering attending but has not confirmed. “We are positively reviewing participation but no final decision had been made,” a senior Iranian official said, stressing that Tehran will not join while the US naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in effect.
Pakistan’s key mediator, Field Marshal Asim Munir, told Trump the blockade was an obstacle to talks. Confusion mounted after Trump told ABC News that Vance would not travel “only because of security”. “JD’s great,” he added. Yet the White House quickly clarified that Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner would attend.
“The U.S. delegation has not departed yet, but plans to travel to Islamabad soon,” a second source said. The first round on April 11-12 ended without agreement.
Trump blamed the collapse on Iran’s nuclear stand. “IRAN IS UNWILLING TO GIVE UP ITS NUCLEAR AMBITIONS,” he posted on Truth Social, warning the US could “knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran” if no deal is reached.
Tensions spiked after the US seized an Iranian cargo vessel near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran vowed retaliation and tightened control of the waterway, refusing passage even to a Chinese bulk carrier.
“Iranians do not submit to force,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on X. With both sides threatening escalation, analysts warn a return to war is possible if talks fail in Islamabad.