Iran refuses talks in Islamabad as Lebanon strikes and Hormuz tensions escalate
Citing an informed source, the agency said no Iranian delegation had traveled to Pakistan and that Tehran had formally notified Islamabad it would not join discussions without a ceasefire in Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei reiterated that any broader negotiations would depend on ceasefire commitments being honored “on all fronts.”
The stance comes as Israeli strikes in Lebanon intensify. Lebanese authorities reported at least 303 people killed and 1,150 wounded in a single day this week, with total casualties since early March nearing 1,900 dead and more than 6,000 injured. Israel maintains Lebanon is not covered by the current ceasefire, a claim rejected by Iran and Pakistani mediators.
Despite Iran’s position, Pakistan has moved ahead with preparations for talks, placing Islamabad under heavy security lockdown. Delegations are expected to arrive for discussions scheduled over the weekend, with U.S. Vice President JD Vance set to lead the American team.
Behind the scenes, Pakistani officials have reportedly worked to prevent further escalation, including efforts to dissuade Iran from retaliating over the Lebanon strikes.
Meanwhile, tensions are also rising in the Persian Gulf. U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran against imposing tolls on oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route handling roughly a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trade.
Trump said reports of such charges must stop immediately, adding that oil shipments would resume “with or without the help of Iran.” His comments follow a fragile ceasefire that recently allowed shipping to resume after Iran had moved to block the strait earlier this year, triggering major disruptions in global energy markets.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a vital but vulnerable chokepoint, with limited alternatives for global oil transport, particularly for major Asian importers.
As diplomatic efforts falter and regional violence continues, uncertainty persists over both the ceasefire’s durability and the prospects for broader negotiations.
