DUBAI, April 20 — Iran is considering participating in upcoming peace talks with the United States in Pakistan, according to a senior Iranian official, following efforts by Islamabad to address a key obstacle, the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.
The official, who spoke to Reuters on Monday, said Tehran was “positively reviewing” the possibility of joining negotiations but emphasized that no final decision has been made. The shift in tone marks a departure from earlier statements in which Iran ruled out participation and warned of retaliation against U.S. actions.
Pakistan has been actively mediating between the two sides, with the Iranian official noting that Islamabad’s efforts to lift the blockade could pave the way for Iran’s involvement in the talks.
The developments come as a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran approaches its expiration. The truce, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on April 7, is expected to end within days, although no exact timeline has been formally confirmed. A Pakistani source involved in the negotiations said the ceasefire could expire late Tuesday evening U.S. time.
Tensions have remained high despite the temporary halt in hostilities. The situation escalated after the United States reportedly seized an Iranian cargo vessel attempting to bypass the blockade, prompting Tehran to vow retaliation.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei criticized Washington, saying it had demonstrated a lack of seriousness in pursuing diplomacy and continued to insist on “unreasonable and unrealistic positions.” He reiterated that Iran would not alter its core demands, including its stance that its defensive capabilities, particularly its missile program, are non-negotiable.
A Pakistani security source said Field Marshal Asim Munir, a key mediator in the talks, had raised concerns directly with President Trump, describing the blockade as a major impediment to negotiations. Trump reportedly indicated he would consider the advice but maintained that the blockade would remain in place.
In parallel, military tensions have continued at sea. The U.S. military said it disabled an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near Iran’s Bandar Abbas port after a prolonged standoff, while Tehran accused Washington of “armed piracy” and warned of possible confrontation.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, has also been affected. Iran briefly lifted and then reinstated its own restrictions on the waterway, leading to sharply reduced maritime traffic. Shipping data indicated minimal vessel movement over a recent 12-hour period, contributing to volatility in global oil prices.
China, a major buyer of Iranian crude, expressed concern over the maritime incident and called for the resumption of normal shipping through the strait. Chinese President Xi Jinping urged all parties to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
Meanwhile, President Trump reiterated his hardline stance, warning that the United States could target key Iranian infrastructure if Tehran rejects U.S. terms. Iran has responded by stating it would retaliate against infrastructure in neighboring Gulf states hosting U.S. bases in the event of such attacks.
Vice President JD Vance is expected to arrive in Islamabad leading a U.S. delegation for the next round of talks, which follow an initial meeting held last week involving senior U.S. officials.
Pakistan has intensified security measures in preparation, deploying nearly 20,000 personnel across the capital. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, significant differences remain, particularly over Iran’s nuclear program and regional security concerns.
European allies have also expressed concern that the U.S. may be pushing for a rapid agreement without resolving complex technical issues that could require extended negotiations.
The broader conflict, which began on February 28, has resulted in thousands of casualties amid U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and a parallel Israeli military campaign in Lebanon. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S.-aligned positions in the region.
As the ceasefire deadline nears, uncertainty remains over whether diplomatic efforts can prevent a renewed escalation.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
