US President Donald Trump said on Sunday (April 26th) that Iran could still open negotiations to end the ongoing conflict, stressing that channels of communication remained open.
“If they want to talk, they can come to us or they can call us. You know, there’s a phone. We have nice, secure lines,” Trump told Fox News.
But Trump repeated the non-negotiable demand: “He knows what has to be in the agreement. It’s very simple: they can’t have a nuclear weapon, otherwise there’s no reason to meet.”
Diplomatic efforts continue without a US presence
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi continued regional diplomacy despite the absence of US envoys. Planned talks in Islamabad involving Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have been canceled by Washington.
Araqchi traveled between Pakistan and Oman and met with leaders including Haitham bin Tariq al-Said to discuss de-escalation and maritime security.
According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Araqchi called for a “regional security framework without external interference”.
The basic dispute
At the heart of the impasse is Iran’s insistence on its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes. Tehran says its program is civilian, while the US and Israel argue it could lead to the development of nuclear weapons.
Trump dismissed previous Iranian proposals as insufficient: “Iran has offered a lot, but not enough.”
Impact of conflict
Although the ceasefire halted widespread fighting, no agreement was reached to formally end the war, which began with US-Israeli strikes on 28 February.
The conflict had far-reaching consequences:
– Weakening of the outlook for economic growth
Iran has also restricted access to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for about a fifth of global oil supplies, while the US has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Regional talks expand to include security and reparations
The talks in Pakistan are expected to address broader demands. According to Iranian reports, discussions may include:
-New legal framework governing the Strait of Hormuz
– Compensation for damages
-Guarantees against future military action
-Abolition of the naval blockade
Earlier talks in Islamabad, led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, ended without an agreement.
