US-Iran talks uncertain amid blockade deadlock

American and Iranian delegations are one their way to Islamabad, Pakistan, for renewed peace settlement talks. Earlier this week, President Trump announced that the two week ceasefire would be extended. However, the US refuses to lift its blockade on Iran and Iran likewise refuses to lift its own restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping corridor.

Trump has sent his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner to participate in talks, while Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi will lead the Iran delegation. Kushner and Witkoff have repeatedly failed to come to an agreement with Iran, even before the war began. This is in part because the Trump administration has seized on and maintained maximalist positions with regard to Iran’s nuclear program.

Iran’s delegation has already arrived in Pakistan, but has not confirmed any plans to meet with US negotiators. Iranian officials cited a lack of trust and Trump’s refusal to lift the blockade, which Tehran sees as a violation of the ceasefire agreement.