Newsletters
Iran has informed the United States through Pakistani intermediaries that it will not attend nuclear negotiations scheduled for Wednesday in Islamabad, Iranian media reported, throwing the future of a fragile ceasefire into uncertainty.
The announcement came as U.S. Vice President JD Vance canceled his planned visit to Islamabad, where the talks had been expected to take place.
Both Washington and Tehran have indicated a willingness to return to military operations if the ceasefire expires without progress toward an extension, raising alarm among regional governments and energy markets alike.
An Iranian military commander escalated the rhetoric further, warning that neighboring countries could face devastating consequences if they allow their territory to be used for strikes against Iran. General Majid Mousavi told an Iranian news site that if southern neighbors permit enemy forces to use their facilities to attack Iran, they "should say goodbye to oil production in the Middle East region."
1 min read
The threat against regional oil infrastructure comes as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply passes, continue to rattle energy markets. Crude prices are hovering just under $100 a barrel as traders await word on whether the ceasefire will hold.
A collapse in talks would place Gulf producers, several of which host American military installations, in an acutely difficult position, caught between their security relationships with Washington and their geographic vulnerability to Iranian retaliation.
Islamabad had positioned itself as a diplomatic bridge between Washington and Tehran, a role that now appears severely strained. Pakistan's ability to facilitate dialogue had been seen as one of the few viable off-ramps in an otherwise deteriorating situation.
No new date for negotiations has been announced by either side.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
