Tehran said that while contacts with the United States have shown some progress, the prospects of reaching a final ceasefire agreement remain “far away,” according to Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
The conflict involving Iran, US and Israeli forces began on February 28. A two-week temporary ceasefire was announced under Pakistan’s mediation to facilitate peace talks, but the first round ended without an agreement.
Pakistan is now working on arrangements for a second round. Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir recently visited Iran for three days and met President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Speaker Ghalibaf, who led the peace talks.
US President Donald Trump said Washington is ready to begin talks immediately if Iran accepts US conditions, though Iran has refused some of them. With the temporary truce set to expire in two days, officials warned that fighting could resume if no permanent deal is reached.
Ghalibaf said Iran had “won” in the weeks-long war and claimed the US agreed to the temporary ceasefire after accepting Iran’s demands, adding that Iran retains control over the Strait of Hormuz shipping route. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said no date has been fixed for the next round, while CNN reported it is planned for tomorrow in Islamabad. Trump also said Iran’s moves around the Strait of Hormuz would not “threaten” the US and that Washington is taking a tough stance.
