Tehran: Iran on Tuesday flatly denied that any delegation had travelled to Islamabad for the second round of peace talks with the United States aimed at halting hostilities in West Asia. The denial comes as a major setback to Pakistan’s diplomatic ambitions to act as a mediator in the crisis.
According to Iranian state media IRNA, citing diplomatic sources, no delegation from Iran has been dispatched to Islamabad “so far,” dismissing recent reports. The source further clarified that neither official nor unofficial information has been received regarding Iranian participation in the talks.
Significantly, the source pointed to a lack of confidence in the host nation, emphasizing that security considerations remain a top priority for any potential delegation—an implicit criticism of Pakistan’s ability to ensure the safety of high-level participants.
This statement directly contradicts the narrative put forward by the Pakistani government. While Islamabad has tried to present itself as a key mediator in the West Asian crisis, Iranian officials have maintained a firm stance that Tehran will not engage in negotiations under threats.
The denial follows a series of statements from Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Minister, Attaullah Tarar, who acknowledged on X that a formal response from Iran confirming participation in the Islamabad peace talks was still awaited. Despite the apparent snub, Tarar insisted that Pakistan remains in “constant touch” with Iranian officials.
However, his remarks suggest a government struggling to maintain credibility as its primary invitee has yet to respond. “Decision from Iran to attend the talks before the end of two weeks ceasefire is critical,” Tarar noted, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the summit.
The situation is further complicated by conflicting timelines regarding the ceasefire. While Tarar stated that the ceasefire would expire at 4:50 am Pakistan time on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump indicated it would end on Wednesday evening Washington time. This discrepancy underscores the lack of coordination among the involved parties.
Meanwhile, developments in Washington suggest ongoing internal deliberations. According to CNN sources, it remains unclear whether US Vice President JD Vance will travel to Pakistan. A White House official noted that additional policy meetings are underway, with Vance expected to participate.
Senior US officials are reportedly continuing consultations to determine the next course of action ahead of the ceasefire deadline. With no confirmation from Tehran and time running out, the prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough remain uncertain.
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