WASHINGTON,(Parliament Times):Donald Trump announced on Sunday that American officials will travel to Islamabad for a second round of negotiations with Iran, aimed at easing escalating tensions in the Middle East. He said the delegation would arrive in Pakistan by Monday evening to continue diplomatic efforts.
Referring to recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump accused Iran of violating the ceasefire by opening fire a day earlier. He claimed that the reported gunfire targeted a French vessel and a UK-linked freighter. Trump also criticised Tehran’s announcement about closing the strait, arguing that a US-led blockade had already effectively restricted maritime traffic.
He further stated that Iran’s actions were backfiring economically, claiming the country was losing hundreds of millions of dollars daily due to disruptions, while the United States remained unaffected. According to him, shipping routes were being redirected, with vessels heading toward American ports in Texas, Louisiana, and Alaska.
Trump reiterated that Washington had offered what he described as a “fair and reasonable” deal to Tehran but warned of severe consequences if it was rejected. He issued a strong warning that the US could target critical infrastructure in Iran if negotiations fail.
Meanwhile, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected US pressure, questioning Washington’s authority to limit Iran’s nuclear rights. He maintained that Iran is not seeking conflict and is acting purely in self-defence, while also criticising US and Israeli strikes on civilian infrastructure as violations of international law.
Iranian officials also signalled continued military preparedness. A senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed that missile and drone capabilities had been replenished beyond pre-war levels during the ceasefire period.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said negotiations with the US had made some progress but remained far from a final agreement. He emphasised that key differences persist, particularly regarding Iran’s conditions for any long-term truce and control over the strait.
Separately, Hakan Fidan expressed optimism that the current two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States could be extended, noting that no party wants a renewed conflict.
In Lebanon, tensions also remained high despite a temporary truce. Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had accepted a ceasefire with Hezbollah but would continue maintaining a military presence in parts of southern Lebanon. Clashes and strikes have persisted, with casualties reported on both sides.
The situation in the Gulf remains volatile, with multiple vessels reportedly coming under fire while attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Several countries have raised concerns over maritime safety, as thousands of seafarers and hundreds of ships remain stranded amid ongoing uncertainty.
Despite signs of diplomatic engagement, significant gaps remain between Washington and Tehran, particularly over the duration of limits on Iran’s nuclear programme, leaving the outcome of the Islamabad talks uncertain.