Iran has said it will not participate in proposed talks with the United States in Islamabad unless Washington lifts its naval blockade linked to the Strait of Hormuz, further deepening tensions in an already volatile regional standoff.

According to Iranian state media, Tehran rejected reports of a second round of negotiations, stating that “excessive demands” from the US, along with the ongoing blockade and shifting policy positions, have made meaningful dialogue impossible at this stage. The talks, expected to be hosted in Islamabad, were aimed at building on earlier negotiations that failed to produce a breakthrough.

Iran has specifically identified the US naval blockade as the main obstacle to further engagement. The blockade, imposed after earlier peace talks collapsed, restricts vessels linked to Iran and has become a central point of contention between the two sides. Tehran argues that the measure violates ceasefire understandings and undermines trust necessary for diplomacy.

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The diplomatic impasse comes amid heightened military tensions in the region, including recent incidents involving the seizure of an Iranian cargo vessel by US forces. These actions have drawn strong condemnation from Iran, which has labelled them as aggressive and warned of retaliation, raising fears of further escalation.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route, remains at the centre of the dispute. Roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the narrow waterway, and any disruption has immediate global economic consequences, including spikes in energy prices and shipping risks.

With both sides hardening their positions, the prospects for near-term diplomacy appear uncertain. While the United States has indicated readiness to continue negotiations, Iran’s insistence on lifting the blockade as a precondition suggests that any breakthrough will require significant concessions, leaving the future of the Islamabad talks in doubt.

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