Iran has refused to take part in a second round of peace talks with the United States in Pakistan, just hours after US President Donald Trump announced that American officials would travel to Islamabad for fresh negotiations.
According to Iran’s official news agency IRNA, Tehran has decided not to join the talks. The report said the decision was due to “Washington’s excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions and the ongoing naval blockade,” which Iran considers a violation of the ceasefire.
The US delegation was expected to be led by Vice President JD Vance, along with Trump’s close aides Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Iran refuses to join latest round of peace talks as Trump sends top envoys to Pakistan, claims US has 'unrealistic demands' https://t.co/Fa10r0Ipim pic.twitter.com/iIqOV9Nent
— New York Post (@nypost) April 19, 2026
Rising tensions over Strait of Hormuz
The situation has become more tense after Iran reportedly reversed its earlier decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has now reimposed restrictions on the key shipping route, especially after the US refused to lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Announcing the talks earlier, Trump wrote on social media, “My Representatives are going to Islamabad, Pakistan – They will be there tomorrow evening, for Negotiations.” He added, “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.”
In another post, Trump accused Iran of violating the ceasefire and warned, “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!” if talks failed.
Cargo ship seizure sparks fresh conflict
Tensions escalated further when Trump claimed that the US had seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near the Gulf of Oman. According to him, the vessel ignored warnings from a US Navy destroyer.
“Our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room,” Trump said, adding that US Marines had taken control of the ship, named Touska, and were checking its cargo.
Iran warns of retaliation
Iran has strongly reacted to the incident. The country’s top military command, Khatam al-Anbiya, accused the US of breaking the ceasefire by attacking a commercial vessel.
A spokesperson said the ship was travelling from China to Iran and warned, “We warn that the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond and retaliate against this armed piracy by the US military.”
Meanwhile, Iranian media also reported that two oil tankers sailing under foreign flags were forced to turn back while trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, calling it an “unauthorised transit.”
