A planned US diplomatic push to revive nuclear talks with Iran has been postponed after Tehran did not respond to US negotiating positions, according to a report in The New York Times.
Vice President JD Vance was scheduled to fly to Islamabad on Tuesday morning to lead a US delegation to renewed talks with Iranian officials. However, citing a US official with direct knowledge, the report said the trip was put on hold due to a lack of response from Iran.
Talks were expected to resume on Wednesday when a fragile truce between Washington and Tehran expires. Without Tehran’s involvement, the diplomatic process is effectively on hold, although the visit has not been formally cancelled, the report added.
“There are other political meetings in the White House in which the vice president will participate,” AFP quoted the American official as saying, who did not yet specify when or if he would go to Islamabad.
Vance has been chosen to lead the US delegation for talks with Iran, which are due to resume on Wednesday, the same day a two-week truce between Washington and Tehran is set to end.
Iran’s reluctance to commit to talks added to the uncertainty. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran had yet to decide whether to participate, citing concerns over Washington’s move.
“It’s not because of indecision, it’s because we’re facing conflicting messages and the behavior and unacceptable actions of the American counterpart,” he said on state television.
Iran’s chief negotiator and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf also struck a defiant tone, warning against pressure tactics.
“We do not accept dealing in the shadow of threats,” he wrote on X, adding that Iran was preparing “to reveal new cards on the battlefield.”
The ceasefire is coming to an end due to escalating risks
The diplomatic uncertainty comes as both sides signal a readiness to resume hostilities if no deal is reached. The truce, which has been in place for two weeks, is set to expire on Wednesday, increasing pressure on negotiators.
The conflict has already taken its toll. At least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran and more than 2,290 in Lebanon since the fighting began, with other casualties reported in Israel and the Arab Gulf states, as well as among US service members deployed in the region.
Trump’s pressure tactics
Trump added another dimension to the talks when he called on Iran to release the detained women ahead of any talks.
“I’m sure they will respect the fact that you did. Please don’t hurt them! It would be a great start to our negotiations!!!” Trump posted on social media.
According to human rights groups, several of the detainees were reportedly arrested during recent anti-government protests.
