Uncertainty over second round of talks; Iran refuses to send delegation to Islamabad

WASHINGTON: Uncertainty surrounds the second round of diplomatic talks between Iran and the United States aimed at easing tensions in West Asia. Iran has said it will not send its delegation to Islamabad as long as the US naval blockade continues. To find a solution, Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Minister Ishaq Dar held a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Reports also suggest that the Iranian President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan may hold talks soon.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump had said that an American delegation would arrive in Islamabad for the second round of talks. However, he later clarified that Vice President JD Vance would not be part of the delegation, citing security concerns.

Meanwhile, tight security has been put in place in Islamabad ahead of the expected arrival of foreign delegations. Traffic has been completely restricted in the city's Red Zone areas, and more than 10,000 security personnel have been deployed across Islamabad and Rawalpindi.