Iran’s refusal of second round of US peace talks was ‘posturing’: Pakistani sources

Hey, I get it. I never say what I mean either. Of course as a Report reader you know that already.

Iran’s refusal of second round of US peace talks was ‘posturing’: Pakistani sources

By Caitlin Doornbos

Published April 20, 2026

ISLAMABAD — After Iran claimed it had refused to attend a second round of peace talks on Sunday, Tehran is now “willing for a second round” of negotiations — and its bluster so far is mere posturing for the best deal possible, Pakistani sources exclusively told The Post on Monday.

Iran on Sunday had publicly said it would not participate in the next round of US-brokered talks in Pakistan, accusing Washington of making “excessive demands,” shifting positions and continuing a naval blockade it views as a violation of the fragile cease-fire, according to prior reporting.

“Current hard stance is posturing to extract maximum advantage when second round happens,” the person said, citing takeaways from discussions with the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman. However, Iran still had not yet decided whether it would attend as of Monday afternoon local time, the source said.

Iran's hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has effectively taken control of Iran's military and negotiation team over the weekend, experts said.

“For now, no decision has been taken about whether we will have a second round,” the source said. “Whenever we have a decision, we will share details.”

Islamabad remains trusted as mediator by both US and Iranian officials.

“Pakistan remains the sole trustworthy mediator, which means process is on and Islamabad will be the venue whenever a final decision is taken,” the source said.

The uncertainty comes as President Trump told The Post on Sunday that the US would soon restart negotiations, dispatching top representatives — including special envoy Steve Witkoff — to the region, even as tensions remain high and the cease-fire nears expiration.

Meanwhile, Pakistani officials also forcefully pushed back on a Reuters report that claimed Islamabad’s Field Marshal Asim Munir urged Trump to abandon the US blockade on Iranian ports to advance negotiations.

“No security source has given any input to any news agency, including Reuters,” a source told The Post. “This is classic misinformation and fake reporting.”

The Reuters report had suggested Trump was considering the proposal after speaking with Munir, underscoring the sensitivity surrounding Pakistan’s role as a mediator in the high-stakes talks.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“We are neither optimistic or pessimistic; rather, realistic,” the person added.