Ervani clarified that the next round of talks is scheduled to be held in Islamabad, once the blockade is broken, indicating that Tehran has received signals suggesting Washington’s readiness to take this step. The Iranian official emphasized that his country is prepared for war and ready for any scenario, while also confirming that the diplomatic path remains open, but it is conditional on a change in American behavior in the next phase.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced last Tuesday evening that discussions will continue until Iran presents its proposal and the talks conclude in one way or another. Trump stated on the ‘Truth Social’ platform, ‘Given the deep division within the Iranian government, which is expected, and at the request of Marshal Asim Munir and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, we have been asked to suspend our attack on Iran until its leaders and representatives offer a unified proposal.’
The American President also announced the continuation of the naval blockade on Iranian ports, despite Washington agreeing to delay strikes on Iran. Trump wrote on the social media platform ‘Truth Social’: ‘I have directed our armed forces.’
On April 8, Iran and the United States reached an agreement for a two-week ceasefire following a military escalation lasting about 40 days, which included widespread attacks on sites within Iran that resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, several senior officials, and about 3,500 people. In response, Tehran carried out missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and American military installations in the Middle East.
On April 11, a round of talks was held in Islamabad aimed at reaching a permanent ceasefire and resolving the conflict, but it concluded without significant results, amid disagreements over Tehran’s desire to control the Strait of Hormuz and its refusal to relinquish its stockpile of enriched uranium. Consequently, on April 13, Washington announced a naval blockade on Iranian ports on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of the world’s shipments of oil, its derivatives, and liquefied natural gas pass.
