April 20, 2026 | 05:29 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Iran has refused to participate in a second round of negotiations with the United States, citing a continued deadlock and escalating tensions between the two sides.
State news agency Islamic Republic News Agency, as cited by Iran International on Sunday, April 19, 2026, reported that talks have stalled since the outset. The first round of negotiations, held last weekend, ended without agreement.
According to IRNA, no meaningful progress has been made, with Washington’s demands described as erratic and unrealistic. The report cited “excessive demands and unreasonable, unrealistic requests, repeated changes in positions, continued contradictory statements” from the United States as key obstacles.
Naval Blockade Seen as Major Barrier
IRNA also pointed to the U.S. naval blockade as a major factor worsening the situation. The measure, described by Iran as a violation of a ceasefire agreement, along with escalating rhetoric, has further hindered progress in the talks.
In this context, Iran sees no clear prospects for productive negotiations in the near future, the report said.
Separately, Tasnim News Agency, citing Anadolu, reported that Tehran has yet to decide whether to send a delegation to Islamabad, as the naval blockade remains in place.
Indirect exchanges between Iran and the United States have continued in recent days through intermediaries in Pakistan following the first round of talks. However, Tehran’s position remains unchanged.
The Iranian negotiating team emphasized that no talks would take place as long as U.S. President Donald Trump maintains his position on the naval blockade against Iran.
U.S. Signals Continued Engagement
On the other hand, Trump said U.S. negotiators would travel to Islamabad to explore the possibility of further talks, with meetings expected to begin Tuesday and potentially continue through Wednesday.
He also accused Iran of violating a two-week ceasefire, set to expire on Wednesday, alleging that Iranian forces opened fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump issued a stark warning: “We’re offering a very fair and reasonable deal, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single power plant, and every single bridge, in Iran.”
Tensions have escalated since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran on February 28, which has disrupted shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies.
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