Iran rejects second round of talks with US: state media

Says US excessive, shifting demands and naval blockade are main reasons to halt talks

Iran on Sunday rejected the second round of talks with the United States, saying it would not take part in dialogue after President Donald Trump announced that US representatives would be in Islamabad on Monday for negotiations, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.

The development came after Trump confirmed that US representatives would travel to Islamabad for the second round of talks with Iran aimed at addressing the Middle East crisis. “My representatives are going to Islamabad, Pakistan — they will be there tomorrow evening for negotiations,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

In a post on X, the state news agency said: “Iran stated that its absence from the second round of talks stems from what it called Washington's excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions, and the ongoing naval blockade, which it considers a breach of the ceasefire.”

Iran stated that its absence from the second round of talks stems from what it called Washington's excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions, and the ongoing naval blockade, which it considers a breach of the ceasefire.

— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) April 19, 2026

Earlier Reuters said that there was ​currently no ‌decision by Iran ​to ​send a negotiating ⁠delegation ​to ​Pakistan "as long as there ​is ​a naval blockade," ‌Iran's ⁠Tasnim news agency reported ​on ​Sunday, ⁠citing its ​reporter.

On April 12, US and Iranian officials hold first round of peace talks in Islamabad without any conclustion. 

United States Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday that intensive 21-hour discussions with Iran did not reach an agreement. He also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for a deal. The US and Iranian delegations have left Islamabad to return home.