After rejecting negotiations, Iran: Received "some signals" suggesting the US is prepared to lift the blockade
A new variable has emerged in the diplomatic stalemate between the US and Iran. After formally refusing to attend the second round of negotiations, Iran’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations stated that they have received a “signal” from the US indicating readiness to lift the maritime blockade, and hinted that once the blockade is lifted, both sides could restart dialogue in Islamabad.
According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, Iran’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Amir-Saeid Iravani, said, “We have received some signals indicating they are ready to break the blockade. Once they lift the blockade, I believe the next round of negotiations will be held in Islamabad.” He also stated, “If they are willing to sit down and negotiate to seek a political solution, we are ready. If they insist on waging war, Iran is also prepared.” Iravani did not further elaborate on the nature or exact timing of the aforementioned “signal.”
After the news broke, the commodity and foreign exchange markets responded rapidly — international oil prices dropped sharply, with Brent crude and WTI both falling more than 1% intraday; spot gold surged over 1% intraday; the US Dollar Index fell slightly, down 0.15%.
These statements came amid a backdrop of a rapid reversal in the situation. According to Xinhua News Agency, Iran officially refused on the evening of April 21 to attend the second round of negotiations originally scheduled for April 22 in Islamabad. Trump immediately announced an extension of the ceasefire and maintained the maritime blockade against Iran.
The Blockade Becomes the Core Condition for Restarting Talks
The issue of the maritime blockade has become the key to whether the two sides can return to the negotiating table. According to Xinhua News Agency, RIA Novosti on the 21st cited Iran’s permanent UN representative Iravani as saying, the US lifting the maritime blockade on Iran could serve as the basis for the two countries to hold the second round of talks.
The Iranian side believes that the current blockade imposed by US forces on maritime traffic in and out of Iranian ports seriously violates the previously reached ceasefire agreement.
According to Iran Student News Agency, Naderi, a member of the Iranian parliament presidium, clearly stated that before the issue of the maritime blockade is resolved, “we will not hold a second round of negotiations.” Iran also announced through Pakistan that in order to fully safeguard the rights of the Iranian people, the Iranian delegation will not be heading to Pakistan on the 22nd.
Meanwhile, the second round of Israel-Lebanon talks will be held in the US on April 23. According to CCTV International News and CNN on April 21, the second round of ambassador-level talks between Israel and Lebanon will be held tomorrow, April 23, at the US State Department. It was reported that US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee will join the US delegation for these talks as a new member. Secretary of State Rubio, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michelle Issa, and State Department adviser Michael Needham will once again attend the talks. Israeli Ambassador to the US Yehiel Leit and Lebanese Ambassador to the US Nada Hamad Mouawad will again lead their delegations.
Earlier, Israel, Lebanon, and the US held ambassador-level talks at the State Department on the 14th. After the meeting, Israel and Lebanon began a 10-day ceasefire at 5:00 am Beijing time on the 17th.
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