Iran says 'no decision' on whether to attend next round of US talks

Iran's foreign ministry said Monday it has yet to reach a decision on whether to attend the next round of talks with the United States.

"As of now, while I am at your service, we have no plans for the next round of negotiation, and no decision has been made in this regard," said ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a weekly press briefing.

“While claiming diplomacy and readiness for negotiations, the US is carrying out behaviors that do not in any way indicate seriousness in pursuing a diplomatic process,” Baqaei said at the same briefing.

He said a US attack on an Iranian cargo ship early Monday, the US naval blockade on Iranian ports, and delays in implementing a ceasefire in Lebanon were all “clear violations of the ceasefire.”

His remarks came as uncertainty continues to surround the diplomatic track, with Iranian officials and state-linked media pointing to unresolved disputes over US maritime restrictions and recent incidents at sea as key obstacles.

The issue of a US naval blockade on Iranian ports has emerged as a major point of contention, alongside an incident in which an Iranian vessel was reportedly intercepted by a US destroyer after attempting to evade inspection. Iranian media said Tehran has signaled a potential response following the episode.

Earlier, state broadcaster IRIB reported that there were “currently no plans” for Iranian participation in the next round of talks, while Fars and Tasnim news agencies cited unnamed sources as saying the overall climate remained “not very positive.” They added that lifting US restrictions on Iranian maritime routes was being viewed in Tehran as a precondition for meaningful engagement.

State-run IRNA also pointed to what it described as Washington’s “unreasonable and unrealistic demands,” saying there was “no clear prospect of fruitful negotiations” under current conditions.

The diplomatic uncertainty comes against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions following a brief and inconclusive negotiating session held in Islamabad on April 11, after which contacts reportedly continued at a lower level without breakthrough.

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Washington had presented what he called a “fair and reasonable deal,” while warning of consequences if an agreement is not reached.

Maritime tensions escalate

The diplomatic deadlock is unfolding alongside rising friction at sea, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint.

The waterway, which carries a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows, has become a flashpoint amid competing security measures and military deployments in the region.

US officials have described enforcement actions against Iranian-linked shipping, including the seizure of an Iranian-flagged vessel, which Washington said was subject to sanctions over alleged prior activity. US statements also claimed the ship attempted to bypass restrictions before being intercepted.

Iran has strongly rejected such actions, with officials describing them as unlawful. Iranian sources have also indicated that retaliatory measures are under consideration following recent incidents involving maritime enforcement.

Tensions have been further heightened by mutual accusations over freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has previously warned it could restrict passage in response to external pressure.

Security tightened in Islamabad

Amid the diplomatic uncertainty, security preparations have been stepped up in Islamabad ahead of the expected next round of talks between US and Iranian delegations.

Authorities have introduced road closures and enhanced security deployments across key areas of the capital and neighboring Rawalpindi.

According to US and Pakistani officials, senior American representatives are expected to arrive in Islamabad in the coming days for discussions, although the exact timing of the talks remains unconfirmed.

Nuclear issue remains central

A key sticking point in the broader negotiations remains Iran’s stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium.

Washington has claimed that Tehran agreed in principle to transfer part of its stockpile abroad, a statement Iran has firmly denied, saying the material will not be moved and that the issue has not been part of any agreed framework.

Iranian officials maintain that the program is peaceful in nature, while US leaders continue to press for stricter limits under any prospective deal.

As both sides trade warnings and conditions, diplomatic momentum remains uncertain, with no clear timeline for the next round of talks.