KABUL (Pajhwok): Efforts to secure a ceasefire between Iran and the United States have reached a “deadlock,” with Tehran officially informing mediators that it is unwilling to meet US officials in Islamabad in the coming days, describing Washington’s demands as unacceptable.
Reports indicate that the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia met in Islamabad last week to explore ways to end the conflict between the United States and Iran.
Following the meeting, Pakistan announced plans to host talks between Iran and the United States in the near future.
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the current round of regional diplomatic efforts—led by Pakistan—to broker a ceasefire between the US and Iran has stalled.
According to the report, Iran has formally notified mediators that it will not participate in upcoming talks with US officials in Islamabad and considers US demands “unacceptable.”
The newspaper added that Turkey and Egypt are continuing efforts to find a way out of the deadlock.
Separately, Iran’s Fars News Agency, citing an informed source, reported that on April 2, the United States proposed a 48-hour ceasefire through a friendly country.
The report states: “Assessments suggest that this proposal followed escalating regional tensions and serious challenges faced by US military forces after a miscalculation of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s military capabilities.”
According to the report, Iran responded not in writing but on the ground by continuing “heavy attacks.”
The source told Fars News Agency: “US diplomatic efforts to halt hostilities have intensified, particularly after one of its military depots on Kuwait’s Bubiyan Island was targeted by Iran.”
This comes as US President Donald Trump had earlier claimed that Iran had requested a ceasefire.
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