Fate of Iran peace talks uncertain as deadline approaches for end of ceasefire

Iran is considering attending peace talks with the United States in Pakistan, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday, following moves by Islamabad to end a US blockade of Iran’s ports, a major obstacle to Tehran rejoining negotiations.

However, the official stressed that no final decision has been made.

Adding to the uncertainty, a source said Vice President JD Vance remains in the US, denying reports that he is already en route to Islamabad for the talks.

With a two-week ceasefire set to expire this week, the Iranian official said Tehran is “positively reviewing” participation, marking a shift from earlier statements rejecting attendance and threatening retaliation for US actions.

The official added that Pakistan, acting as mediator, is making efforts to lift the blockade and facilitate Iran’s involvement.

The ceasefire appeared at risk after the US said it seized an Iranian cargo ship attempting to bypass the blockade, prompting Tehran to warn of retaliation.

A Pakistani security source said the country’s key mediator, Field Marshal Asim Munir, told US President Donald Trump that the blockade was hindering talks, and that Trump had agreed to consider lifting it.

The US aims to begin negotiations in Pakistan before the ceasefire expires, with extensive security measures already in place in Islamabad.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, however, criticized what he described as mixed signals from Washington, saying they suggested an attempt to force Iran into submission.

“Iranians do not submit to force,” he wrote on X.

Trump announced the two-week ceasefire on April 7 but did not specify an exact end time. A Pakistani source involved in the discussions said it would expire at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, equivalent to midnight GMT and 3:30 a.m. Thursday in Iran.

The US has maintained its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran briefly lifted and then reinstated its own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route that handles about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied gas supplies.

Oil prices rose around 5% amid fears the ceasefire could collapse. Shipping traffic through the strait has slowed dramatically, with only three crossings recorded over a 12-hour period.

The US military said it fired on an Iranian-flagged cargo ship heading to Bandar Abbas on Sunday after a six-hour standoff, disabling its engines. Video released by US Central Command showed Marines boarding the vessel from helicopters.

Maritime security sources said the ship was likely carrying items considered dual-use by Washington, meaning they could have military applications.

Iran’s military said the vessel was traveling from China and accused the US of “armed piracy.” Officials said they were prepared to respond but were constrained by the presence of civilians on board.

China expressed concern over the interception, with President Xi Jinping calling for normal shipping to resume through the strait and urging a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.

Trump warned that the US would destroy Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, if Tehran rejected US terms.

Iran responded by saying it would target power stations and desalination facilities in Gulf Arab countries if its civilian infrastructure were attacked.

Pakistan continues preparations to host talks despite uncertainty. Around 20,000 security personnel have been deployed across Islamabad.

The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, alongside an Israeli invasion of Lebanon that began on February 28. A fragile truce is also in place there, with Washington set to host another round of ambassador-level talks between Lebanon and Israel on Thursday.