Vance’s trip to Islamabad for Iran talks is put on hold – NYT

A diplomatic trip by US Vice President JD Vance to Islamabad, where he had planned to press Iranian negotiators on reaching a nuclear deal, has been put on hold after Tehran failed to respond to the US's negotiating positions.

Source: The New York Times, citing a US official with direct knowledge of the situation, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Vance had been due to fly to the Pakistani capital on the morning of 21 April, with the talks set to resume on 22 April, the same day the fragile truce between the US and Iran is due to expire. The official said that in the absence of a response from Iran, the diplomatic process has effectively been paused, although the trip has not been cancelled.

The visit can be revived at any moment with US President Donald Trump's approval. US officials are also waiting for a clear signal that Iranian negotiators have been given full authority to conclude a deal.

The delay is the latest obstacle to the Trump administration's efforts to secure an agreement limiting Iran's nuclear programme and comes as the Pentagon considers military options if Trump concludes that Tehran is not negotiating in good faith.

The official said a return to bombing is not inevitable, but the Pentagon is still considering its options. The US remains ready to launch another wave of strikes while maintaining a significant military presence in the Middle East.

Background:

• Axios reported earlier that JD Vance would travel to Islamabad on the morning of 21 April for talks with Iran after Tehran signalled it was ready to negotiate a possible deal to end the war.
• The two-week ceasefire previously agreed by the sides expires on 21 April, although Trump said on 20 April that the deadline is the evening of 22 April.
• Trump said an extension of the two-week ceasefire with Iran is "highly unlikely", adding that the Strait of Hormuz will remain blocked until a deal is reached.
• He also said he is confident that Washington will eventually reach a "great" peace deal with Iran, although he does not expect to extend the ceasefire, which expires on 22 April.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!