Overview
Diplomatic momentum aimed at halting the two-month U.S.-Israeli confrontation with Iran evaporated as the week began, leaving negotiations at an impasse and both sides showing limited willingness to soften their demands. A Pakistani-mediated visit by Iranian officials ended without an agreement, and the U.S. canceled a planned trip by two envoys, undermining hopes for a negotiated resolution.
Pakistan mediation yields no deal
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi concluded a visit to Pakistan at the weekend, but left without securing concessions, according to official accounts. Pakistan had been acting as a mediator in the talks, but Tehran indicated it would not accept negotiations conducted under coercion. An Iranian diplomatic source in Islamabad said Tehran would not accept "maximalist demands" from the United States, and Araqchi described his visit as "very fruitful" despite the absence of a settlement.
Iran’s conditions for talks
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking by phone with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, made clear that Tehran would refuse to engage in what he termed "imposed negotiations" conducted under threats or blockade, according to an Iranian government statement. Pezeshkian said the United States must first remove "operational obstacles," explicitly including the blockade on Iranian ports, before negotiators could establish the groundwork for resolving the conflict.
U.S. response and canceled envoy visit
The White House called off a planned Islamabad visit by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters in Florida that he canceled the envoys' trip because the discussions would involve too much travel and expense to consider what he characterized as an inadequate Iranian offer. After the diplomatic mission was aborted, Trump said Iran "offered a lot, but not enough." On Truth Social, he also wrote that there was "tremendous infighting and confusion" within Iran's leadership. "Nobody knows who is in charge, including them," he posted. "Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!"
Broader trajectory of the conflict
The confrontation, which began with U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28, has since seen retaliatory strikes by Iran against Israel, U.S. bases and Gulf states. A ceasefire remains in force, but recent actions have strained the truce. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered troops to attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, his office said, placing further stress on a three-week ceasefire.
Energy and shipping impacts
The standoff now involves major disruptions to energy flows. Tehran has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route that normally carries one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. At the same time, Washington has imposed a blockade on Iran's oil exports. Those developments have helped push energy prices to multi-year highs, stoked inflationary pressure and dimmed prospects for global economic growth.
U.S. officials signal continued engagement
Within Washington, the White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier that U.S. officials had noted some progress from the Iranian side and indicated Vice President JD Vance was prepared to travel to Pakistan. Vance had led a first round of talks in Islamabad this month that did not produce an agreement.
Current status
The combination of stalled diplomacy, Iran's demands for the removal of operational obstacles and the cancellation of the planned envoy visit leaves negotiations in limbo. With the Strait of Hormuz largely closed and both sides maintaining hardline positions, oil and shipping markets, inflation and broader global growth prospects remain exposed to further disruption.