Contrary to claims made by U.S. President Donald Trump, Iran has not agreed to a new round of talks with the U.S. “Iran has so far not agreed on the next round of talks with the United States due to Donald Trump’s announcement regarding a naval blockade of Iran, as well as the U.S.’ excessive demands in the negotiations, which have continued in the recent exchange of messages,” Tasnim reported on April 18, citing “information obtained by Tasnim from relevant authorities.”
“Iran has made it clear that the avoidance of excessive demands by the United States in negotiations is a fundamental condition for the talks to continue; otherwise, Iran is not seeking to waste time in drawn-out and unproductive negotiations,” Tasnim reports further. It adds that “the Islamic Republic of Iran’s position has been conveyed to U.S. officials through Pakistan.”
Saeed Khatibzadeh, an Iranian deputy foreign minister, said the Iranians were not ready for a new round of face-to-face talks with the U.S. because the Americans “have not abandoned their maximalist position.” He also said Iran will not hand over its stock of 970 pounds (440 kilograms) of enriched uranium to the United States, calling the idea “a non-starter.”
Axios reported today that “President Trump convened a White House Situation Room meeting on Saturday morning [April 18] to discuss the renewed crisis around the Strait of Hormuz and negotiations with Iran, according to two U.S. officials.” They added: “The Situation Room meeting was attended by Vice President Vance—who is expected to participate in the next round of negotiations with Iran—Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, according to a U.S. official.”
AP on April 18 cited Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar telling a diplomatic forum in Antalya, Turkiye that his country’s diplomats were working to “bridge” differences between the U.S. and Iran.
