Iran Officially Refuses Second Round of Islamabad Talks; Vance Delegation Arrives Anyway

In a dramatic diplomatic breakdown on April 20, 2026, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that the Islamic Republic has 'no plans' to participate in the second round of Islamabad negotiations — just hours after VP JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan. Iran cited 'Washington's excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions, and the ongoing naval blockade' as reasons for refusing talks. Iran also accused the US of breaching the ceasefire through the naval blockade and the Touska seizure. Private sources told CNN that a Tehran delegation might still attend, but Iranian officials publicly denied this. The US ceasefire, which began April 7, is set to expire April 22–23. Pakistan offered to host 'multi-day' proximity talks but Tehran was noncommittal. Al Jazeera reported that Pakistan remained in contact with both delegations seeking a path forward. The Touska seizure occurred just hours before the planned talks, further undermining already fragile prospects. Iran's parliament speaker Ghalibaf said 'significant gaps remain' on core issues: nuclear weapons commitment, Hormuz transit rights, Lebanon ceasefire, and $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets.