Iran has officially informed mediators about its unwillingness to attend Pakistan-mediated talks with the United States in Islamabad. Calling US demands ‘unacceptable,’ Tehran made its stance clear.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, citing mediators, it said: “Iran has officially informed mediators of its unwillingness to meet U.S. officials in Islamabad in the coming days, deeming American demands unacceptable.”
Regional countries led by Pakistan have hit a dead end in their current efforts to secure a U.S-Iran ceasefire, mediators announced Friday, as per the WSJ.
Calling American demands as unacceptable, despite ongoing efforts by regional intermediaries, with Pakistan taking a leading role, to bring both sides to the negotiating table, Iran’s unwillingness marks a major setback for the peace talks.
Pakistan’s prior offer to host U.S.-Iran talks now seems uncertain following the stalled mediation attempts.
Islamabad offered to host discussions, with its Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stating Pakistan would be “honoured to host and facilitate meaningful talks.”
Meanwhile U.S President Donald Trump indicated Washington was negotiating with Iran, claiming “we’re doing extremely well in that negotiation,” though he provided no specifics, in a Truth Social Post.
Pakistan positioned itself as a mediator after weeks of quiet diplomacy and ties to both sides, but recent Wall Street Journal reports cast doubt on whether the proposed talks will proceed.
Earlier, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed Islamabad’s mediation efforts on X, offering to facilitate “substantial and decisive negotiations” for a comprehensive resolution, a message reposted by President Trump.
Pakistan relayed a US15-point ceasefire proposal to Iran, with Army Chief Asim Munir holding calls with Trump and Sharif engaging Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Regional players like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were invited to a planned Islamabad summit on March 29-30, though the progress is likely stalled with Iran rejecting U.S. demands and deeming meetings in Islamabad unfeasible.
