Trump may join Iran peace talks if deal is reached in Islamabad: Report

Trump has reiterated that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Leveraging its chokehold over the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran hopes to secure a sanctions waiver and nuclear program.

Tehran walked away from negotiations last week, labelling US demands as “excessive” and alleging that Washington violated the terms of the truce. Iran also blamed Washington’s “constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions, and continuing naval blockade [in the Strait of Hormuz]”.

The ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, was announced on April 8, minutes before Trump said he would launch an attack on Iran, including its civilian and military infrastructure.

The first round of talks in Islamabad on April 11 and 12 failed to produce a breakthrough. Leading the talks, Vance was accompanied by US’ special envoy to West Asia Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

According to Iranian officials, the meeting was marred by a trust deficit. Trump said that while most points had been agreed upon during the negotiations, the nuclear issue had not.

Following the deadlock, Washington announced a complete blockade of Iranian ports in response to Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. He said that the US Navy will “interdict every vessel” going past Iran’s Larak Island and paying “an illegal toll” to Tehran. Tehran re-imposed its blockade on the Strait on Saturday, a day after lifting it.

On Thursday, Trump announced that the leaders of Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire. Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has been in a war with Israel since March 2. The conflict has left over 2,000 dead and millions displaced in the country. Tehran maintained that the cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon, was among the terms in peace proposal.