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JD Vance and Iranian negotiators head to Islamabad for renewed US Iran talks as a ceasefire nears expiry. Trump threatens new strikes if no deal is reached.
JD Vance Headed to Islamabad as Iran Delays Talks Under IRGC Pressure.
As Donald Trump and Tehran sent mixed signals ahead of potential US-Iran talks, an Axios report said JD Vance will travel to Islamabad on Tuesday morning for a second round of negotiations. The talks come as the conflict enters its seventh week and a ceasefire deadline draws near.
Officials cited by Axios said the visit signals that both sides are preparing for fresh discussions aimed at reaching a possible deal to end the war.
Iran delaying decision?
Iran initially held back from confirming its participation. Reports said negotiators were under pressure from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards to adopt a firmer stance.
Sources indicated that Tehran’s position was clear – no talks without the lifting of the US blockade. As a result, the delegation waited for approval from the country’s top leadership.
The decision came late on Monday night, when the supreme leader gave the go-ahead for the team to attend the talks.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is leading Iran’s negotiating team, accused Trump of trying to force Tehran into surrender in a message on X. He said Iran would not take part in talks under threat.
Meanwhile, a The New York Times report, citing two senior Iranian officials, said the Iranian delegation is preparing to travel to Islamabad on Tuesday. It added that Ghalibaf is expected to attend if Vance is also present.
Pressure before deadline
The timing of the talks is crucial. A two-week ceasefire that began on April 8 is close to expiring.
Trump has warned that if no agreement is reached, the United States could launch a fresh bombing campaign targeting Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants.
Although a full agreement may be difficult within such a short period, there is a chance the deadline could be extended if progress is made. Trump has already pushed the deadline to Wednesday evening instead of Tuesday.
Behind-the-scenes efforts
Discussions over the meeting continued throughout Monday, with the White House waiting for confirmation from Tehran.
At the same time, mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey urged Iran to join the talks. Their efforts appear to have helped bring both sides to the negotiating table.
Officials said the delay reflected internal debate within Iran, with pressure to maintain a strong position during negotiations.
Key participants expected
Along with Vance, senior US officials are expected to attend. Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are likely to travel to Islamabad as well.
There are differing accounts of Vance’s departure time. While two sources said he would leave on Tuesday morning, another suggested he might depart late on Monday night.
The meeting in Islamabad will be closely watched amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.
United States of America (USA)
April 21, 2026, 08:14 IST
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