Tehran, Iran — Iran has officially announced its withdrawal from the second round of crucial peace talks with the United States in Islamabad, casting serious doubt on the future of a fragile ceasefire set to expire on April 22, 2026. State media confirmed the decision on Sunday, dealing a significant blow to international efforts to de-escalate tensions in a conflict approaching its two-month mark.
Talks Collapse Amid Mutual Accusations
Iran attributed its decision to what it described as Washington's "excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions," and the ongoing US naval blockade of its ports. Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref did not mince words, labeling the American approach to negotiations as "childish" and inconsistent. Aref accused Washington of seeking talks under pressure only to adopt a more hardline stance afterward.
The abrupt reversal came despite earlier assurances from Parliament speaker Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf that there would be "no retreat in the field of diplomacy." However, fresh threats from former President Donald Trump on Truth Social appear to have altered Tehran's calculations. Trump vowed to "knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran" if it refused the deal offered by Washington, threatening to end Tehran's "killing machine."
In Washington, plans for Vice President JD Vance, who led the initial round of marathon talks, and other senior officials to depart for Pakistan were suspended following Iran's announcement.
Strait of Hormuz Becomes Flashpoint
Adding another layer of complexity to the escalating crisis, Iran has declared the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes. Tehran warned that any vessel approaching the strait would be targeted, reportedly leaving hundreds of ships stranded at both ends.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei labeled the US naval blockade an "act of aggression" and a direct violation of the ceasefire terms. Conversely, Trump accused Iran of firing on ships transiting the strait, with reports on Saturday confirming Iranian gunboats targeted two Indian-flagged merchant vessels, forcing them to retreat.
Deep Mistrust Halts Progress
Despite extensive back-channel negotiations, both nations remain entrenched on core issues. These include Iran's nuclear enrichment program, its support for regional proxies like Hezbollah, and control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Vice President Vance had previously acknowledged that profound mistrust between Washington and Tehran remains the primary impediment to any lasting peace agreement.
With the ceasefire set to expire on April 22 and diplomatic efforts now in disarray, the deep-seated mistrust shows no signs of dissipating, leaving the region in a state of heightened uncertainty.