Islamabad: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday highlighted a deep-seated mistrust towards the United States, citing 'contradictory signals from American officials' as efforts to initiate a second round of talks to end the ongoing war are underway. Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of honoring commitments as a prerequisite for meaningful dialogue, following US President Donald Trump's assertion that an agreement with Iran would be signed "today" in Islamabad, Pakistan. However, the specific timeframe of this agreement remains unclear.
According to Anadolu Agency, Trump's comments included a stark warning that failure to reach a deal would result in the US targeting every power plant and bridge in Iran. In response, Pezeshkian reiterated the historical mistrust that Iran harbors towards the US government, criticizing the unconstructive and contradictory signals emanating from American officials. He asserted that these actions convey a bitter message and accused the US of seeking Iran's capitulation, stating that Iranians will not succumb to force.
Pezeshkian's statements followed discussions between Pakistan's army chief, Gen. Asim Munir, and Trump. The talks highlighted the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as a significant obstacle in negotiations with Iran. The strategic waterway has been mostly closed since US and Israeli attacks on Iran earlier this year. Although Tehran briefly reopened the strait, it was shut again following Trump's announcement that the blockade of Iranian ports would persist. Tensions further escalated when US forces detained an Iranian cargo ship on Sunday.
Despite these challenges, Trump indicated that US representatives would travel to Islamabad for talks with Iranian officials. Tehran has yet to formally declare its stance but insists on lifting the US blockade of its ports as a condition for progress. Meanwhile, Pakistani sources have reported that Iranian officials are expected to arrive in Islamabad on Tuesday, signaling a potential step forward in the dialogue process.
