Iran Undecided on Peace Talks Attendance, President Voices Distrust of US

(SeaPRwire) –   On Monday, Iran stated that it has not yet made a decision on whether its officials will participate in a second round of peace negotiations with U.S. representatives in Pakistan, following Tehran’s accusation that Washington violated the cease-fire by seizing an Iranian vessel. 

Esmail Baghaei, the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, noted that there are currently no plans for the next round of talks and stressed that Iran will prioritize its national interests and gains as it weighs its next moves.

In his comments on Monday morning, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian highlighted the importance of diplomacy but also indicated a deep-seated distrust of U.S. negotiators.

“War benefits no one, and while standing firm against threats, every rational and diplomatic path should be used to reduce tensions. At the same time, distrust of the enemy and vigilance in interactions are undeniable necessities,” he said, according to state media.

As a result, the second round of peace talks scheduled to occur in Islamabad, Pakistan, remains up in the air; only the U.S. delegation—again headed by Vice President J.D. Vance—has been confirmed to attend. Vance is expected to reach Pakistan late Monday, accompanied by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

The already precarious two-week cease-fire, due to end in the early hours of Wednesday in Iran, is also teetering, as Tehran has threatened retaliation following the U.S. seizure of an Iranian cargo ship that tried to get around President Donald Trump’s blockade in the Strait of Hormuz—a critical waterway carrying about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.

Trump stated that the U.S. Navy intercepted the ship in the Gulf of Oman on Sunday and “stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room,” adding that the U.S. now has “custody” of the vessel.

On Monday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that American forces have ordered 27 ships to turn back or return to an Iranian port since the U.S. blockade began on April 13. 

Tehran and Washington Trade Accusations of Cease-Fire Violations

Iran has alleged that the U.S. violated the cease-fire via its ongoing blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz and its subsequent seizure of an Iranian ship—a action labeled as piracy by Iran’s joint military command.

On Sunday, Mohammad Reza Aref, Iran’s first vice president, stated that as long as the military blockade persists, Iran will keep exerting global economic pressure by restricting naval navigation.

“The choice is clear: Either a free oil market for all or the risk of significant costs for everyone,” he said. “Stability in global fuel prices depends on a guaranteed and lasting end to the economic and military pressure against Iran and its allies.”

Baghaei characterized the blockade as “not only a violation of the Pakistani-brokered cease-fire but also illegal and criminal.”

On Monday, he elaborated, claiming that additional cease-fire violations have occurred in connection with Lebanon.

Baghaei’s comments coincided with the Israeli military’s announcement on Monday that it will continue to hold its military positions in southern Lebanon and has issued evacuation alerts in multiple regions.

Last week, Trump announced a 10-day cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon after ongoing strikes in Lebanon risked derailing wider U.S.-Iran negotiations. The agreement went into effect at 5 p.m. ET on April 16, and despite claims of violations, reports as of Monday morning indicate it is mostly holding.

At the same time, Trump has accused Tehran of violating the U.S.-Iran cease-fire, saying Iranian forces fired shots in the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend.

Following the most recent confrontation, Trump reaffirmed his threat to target Iranian infrastructure.

“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable deal, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single power plant, and every single bridge, in Iran,” he warned.

Baghaei brushed off the threats, asserting that “the Islamic Republic of Iran does not accept any deadline or ultimatum to safeguard its national interests.”

Oil Prices Spike Again Following U.S. Seizure of Iranian Vessel

Following the U.S. seizure of an Iranian ship over the weekend, and with the Strait of Hormuz conflict showing no signs of easing, oil prices have spiked once more.

During early Monday trading, Brent crude climbed to approximately $95 per barrel—a 5% increase from Friday’s closing price.

Tehran’s restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz after the initial U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, along with ongoing uncertainty about maritime access, have created significant instability in the global market.

European leaders—who earlier rejected Trump’s requests to deploy warships to the Strait—still view the full, unimpeded reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as a top priority.

On Friday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron led an international summit in Paris focused on upholding freedom of navigation in the Strait.

The leaders have since announced plans to launch a defensive multinational mission to protect merchant ships and carry out mine clearance activities.

However, according to a post-summit statement, this mission will only be implemented “as soon as conditions allow after a sustainable cease-fire agreement” since it will be “strictly defensive.”

Chinese President Xi Jinping, for his part, called on Monday for an “immediate and comprehensive” cease-fire to guarantee normal transit through this critical trade route.