Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Iran on Tuesday said it was yet to decide whether it will attend last-ditch peace talks with the US in Pakistan, as tensions remain high following a US naval move against Iranian vessels, ahead of the expiry of the two-week fragile ceasefire.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that no final decision had been taken on participation, signalling continued uncertainty just hours before the expected talks. He accused Washington of undermining diplomacy, describing US action against two Iranian ships as “piracy at sea and state terrorism,” and questioned whether the US was serious about negotiations.
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Iranian officials have publicly cited the US naval blockade of their vessels at Hormuz as a key reason for hesitation, with sources saying Tehran was still weighing its options after the boarding incident.
Pakistan, which is mediating the talks, said it was still waiting for a formal response from Tehran.
“Formal response from the Iranian side about confirmation of a delegation to attend Islamabad peace talks is still awaited,” Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a post on X.
He added that Islamabad remained “in constant touch” with Iranian officials and was continuing efforts to push diplomacy forward.
Meanwhile, preparations for the talks are already underway in Islamabad, where parts of the city have been locked down and a luxury hotel cleared to host the delegations.
A White House official said US Vice President JD Vance was still engaged in policy meetings in Washington. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump struck a hard line, saying he hoped for a great deal but was not inclined to extend the ceasefire.
“I don’t want to do that. We don’t have that much time,” Trump told CNBC. He underscored the military option, adding, “I expect to be bombing… the military is raring to go.”
This is a developing story. It will be updated.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
