Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday held a telephonic conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minster Shehbaz Sharif before rejecting the second round of peace talks with United States in Islamabad.According to news agency Associated Press, Pezeshkian alleged “bullying and unreasonable behavior by the United States during negotiation and ceasefire.Pezeshkian further warned that US actions and threatening rhetoric have led to increased suspicion among Iranian officials about the seriousness of the United States and the possibility that it will repeat previous patterns and “betray diplomacy.”The conversation took place hours before Iran rejected participation in a second round of peace talks with the United States, sharply escalating tensions amid renewed naval confrontations. Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported that there are “no plans” for further negotiations at this stage, blaming Washington for what it described as excessive demands, shifting positions and “constant contradictions”. It also pointed to what it called an ongoing naval blockade and recent maritime incidents as key obstacles to diplomacy.In a statement carried by Iranian media, Tehran said the atmosphere surrounding talks “cannot be considered positive”, adding that there was “no clear prospect of fruitful negotiations” under current conditions. IRNA also dismissed reports of an imminent second round of talks in Islamabad as “not true”, calling them part of a “media game” and pressure campaign by the United States.The diplomatic breakdown comes against the backdrop of rising maritime tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor. Iranian state outlets said the US naval blockade of Iranian ports remains a central sticking point, with Tehran arguing it amounts to collective punishment.Tensions escalated further after reports that a US warship intercepted and damaged an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel attempting to evade inspection. Washington claimed the ship was already under sanctions, while Iran condemned the incident as “armed piracy” and warned of retaliation.Earlier, Pakistan military chief Asim Munir reached Tehran and carried US proposals for a second round of peace talks.Simultaneously, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his foreign minister conducted a whirlwind diplomatic tour across regional allies Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.Munir was one of two Pakistani mediators in the room during face-to-face talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad on April 11.The official described Munir’s visit to Iran as “important” in bringing both sides back to the negotiating table.“The deal is almost done. He is the only person who can convince Iranians for a deal — that’s because of the trust level.”
