Iran agrees to talks with US in Islamabad

The Iranian delegation has received the consent of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to participate in negotiations with the US in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, Axios says, citing sources, Olaylar informs.

The Iranian team was waiting for permission from the Supreme Leader, according to a source, and it came on Monday evening (April 20).

The Iranian side was reportedly delaying the negotiations due to chr("39")apparent pressurechr("39") from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the negotiators. The goal of postponing the meeting date is to achieve a chr("39")tougher positionchr("39"): chr("39")No negotiations until the American blockade is lifted.chr("39")

At the same time, it is emphasized that Vice President JD Vance will head to Islamabad on the morning of April 21 for negotiations with Iran on a potential agreement to end the war.

On April 20, US President Donald Trump announced that Vance and presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff had departed for Islamabad to prepare a new round of negotiations with Iran. Trump rejected Iranchr("39")s statements about a possible refusal to participate in the negotiations.

As a reminder, on the night of April 20, the US guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance seized the cargo vessel TOUSKA, sailing under the Iranian flag, in the Gulf of Oman. In response, Iranian media noted that the countrychr("39")s armed forces carried out a drone attack on American military vessels.

On February 28, the US and Israel launched military operations against Iran. That same day, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes. In retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone strikes on Israel and other countries of the region housing US military assets.

Iran, the US, and their allies agreed to a two-week ceasefire on the night of April 8, 2026.

Subsequent negotiations between Iran and the US, mediated by Pakistan, were held in Islamabad on April 11-12.

Trump announced the opening of the Strait of Hormuz to shipping on April 15, despite the continued naval blockade of Iranian ports. This step was taken to preserve relations with China. Later, on April 18, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC Navy) of Iran announced the closure of the waterway, arguing that this was due to the violation of the ceasefire agreement and the ongoing blockade of Iranian ports by the American military.