U.S.-Iran Talks in Pakistan Face New Uncertainty

April 21, 2026

Summary

Planned U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad remained in doubt after Iran signaled it may not attend and tensions rose near the Strait of Hormuz.

Why this matters

The talks could affect the risk of wider conflict, global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and energy markets. The dispute also reflects how military actions at sea can disrupt diplomacy.

Pakistan prepared to host talks this week aimed at preventing renewed fighting between the United States and Iran, but it remained unclear Monday whether Tehran would attend.

The proposed meeting in Islamabad was tentatively set for Tuesday and was expected to include Vice President JD Vance, envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. Pakistan cordoned off parts of the capital ahead of the talks.

Trump said Monday that negotiations were still on. “We’re supposed to have the talks,” he told the New York Post. “So I would assume at this point nobody’s playing games.”

Iran signaled otherwise. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said, “So far, we have no plans to participate in the next round of negotiations.” He added that “The behavior of the United States does not indicate seriousness in pursuing a diplomatic process.”

The uncertainty followed a sharp rise in tensions near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran again closed the strait over the weekend, according to the report, and several ships were reportedly hit there Saturday. On Sunday, U.S. Central Command said the destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the Iranian-owned cargo ship M/V Touska in the north Arabian Sea as it headed to Bandar Abbas.

CENTCOM said Touska failed to comply with warnings for six hours, after which Spruance fired several rounds from its 5-inch Mk 45 gun into the engine room and Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded the ship. The vessel remained in U.S. custody Monday. CENTCOM had no update on the cargo, crew, or how long the ship would be held.

Iran called the seizure an act of “piracy” and threatened retaliation. State media also reported drone strikes on U.S. Navy warships Sunday, though as of 2 p.m. EDT Monday; no retaliatory response had been reported.

A senior Iranian source told Reuters that the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports was undermining prospects for talks and that Tehran’s missile program was not negotiable. Reuters also reported that a Pakistani security source said Pakistan’s mediator, Field Marshal Asim Munir, told Trump the blockade was an obstacle to diplomacy.

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