Iran’s prime negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, declared late Monday that Tehran won’t negotiate with the US “beneath the shadow of threats,” warning Tehran is ready to “reveal new playing cards on the battlefield” as a ceasefire deadline looms and the destiny of renewed talks stays unsure.
Talking in a submit on X, Ghalibaf — who has led Iran’s current negotiations alongside Iranian Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi — accused President Donald Trump of making an attempt to show diplomacy into “an instrument of give up” by means of continued strain, together with a U.S. naval blockade.
“Trump, by imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire, seeks to show this negotiating desk — in his personal creativeness — right into a desk of give up or to justify renewed warmongering,” Ghalibaf wrote. “We don’t settle for negotiations beneath the shadow of threats, and prior to now two weeks, we’ve ready to disclose new playing cards on the battlefield.”
Ghalibaf’s remarks underscored a hardening stance in Tehran simply hours after conflicting alerts earlier Monday prompt talks may proceed — solely to be thrown into doubt once more by Monday evening.
A senior Pakistani official informed Reuters earlier Monday that Islamabad had acquired a “constructive sign” from Iran and was working to deliver either side to talks “tomorrow or a day after,” as mediation efforts intensified forward of the looming deadline.
However by Monday evening, Iranian officers signaled the alternative. Iranian Overseas Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated there was at present “no plan” for a brand new spherical of negotiations and warned Washington would face a “decisive response” if it continued what Tehran described as ceasefire violations, together with the naval blockade.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian equally accused the US of sending “unconstructive and contradictory alerts,” warning that Washington seems to be in search of Iran’s give up — “one thing Iranians won’t ever settle for.”
Iranian Deputy Overseas Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh added Monday that Tehran “won’t settle for something past worldwide legislation,” warning that point strain won’t power concessions.
Iranian political analyst Seyed Mohammad Marandi, talking in remarks amplified by Iranian state-linked retailers, stated there had been “no inclination prior to now few hours” to proceed, advising U.S. Vice President JD Vance to “unpack his suitcases” and never journey to Islamabad beneath present situations.
On the identical time, reporting from Axios late Monday indicated the scenario remained fluid, with U.S. officers ready for a definitive sign from Tehran. In accordance with sources cited by the outlet, Iranian negotiators have been stalling amid strain from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to carry a firmer line — insisting there be no talks with out an finish to the U.S. naval blockade.
The report added that the Iranian group had been ready for a inexperienced gentle from the nation’s supreme chief, which one supply stated got here Monday evening, although no public affirmation adopted.
Axios additional reported that Vice President JD Vance was anticipated to depart for Islamabad on Tuesday morning, with two sources saying he would depart then and a 3rd suggesting he may depart late Monday evening, alongside Particular Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Earlier Monday, Trump stated Vance was heading to Islamabad, although officers later clarified he remained in Washington on the time, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding whether or not or not talks will proceed.
The diplomatic uncertainty comes because the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran — introduced by Trump on April 7 — is about to run out Wednesday at 8 p.m. Jap time.
Trump made clear in remarks Monday, together with in a telephone interview with Bloomberg, that he’s not inclined to increase the ceasefire with no deal. He stated an extension is “extremely unlikely,” whereas telling PBS Information that if negotiations fail, “numerous bombs begin going off.”
He additionally confused Monday that he’s “beneath no strain in any way” to succeed in a deal, writing on Fact Social that he wouldn’t be rushed into an settlement that’s “not so good as it may have been,” and warning Iran would face penalties “like they’ve by no means seen earlier than” if it refuses to barter.
Tensions have additionally been infected by maritime incidents, together with a U.S. interception of an Iranian-flagged vessel within the Sea of Oman on Sunday, which Tehran described as a violation of the ceasefire.
With either side digging in and no clear affirmation that talks will proceed, the window for diplomacy seems to be narrowing quickly because the ceasefire deadline approaches — elevating the prospect that hostilities may resume inside days if no settlement is reached, regardless of last-minute diplomatic motion.
Joshua Klein is a reporter for Breitbart Information. E mail him at jklein@breitbart.com. Observe him on Twitter @JoshuaKlein.
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