Pakistan-mediated talks in Islamabad conclude without agreement as Tehran signals both diplomatic openness and readiness to respond to escalation.
TEHRAN: Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Monday asserted that Iran would not yield to external pressure after inconclusive US-Iran negotiations held in Islamabad under Pakistani mediation.
The talks ended without a formal agreement, taking place against a backdrop of rising tensions following maritime measures ordered by US President Donald Trump affecting the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for global energy supplies.
Ghalibaf said Iran remained open to diplomacy but warned that any escalation would be met with a proportional response. He emphasized that Tehran’s position combined readiness for dialogue with preparedness for confrontation, depending on Washington’s approach.
The Islamabad discussions marked a rare direct engagement between the two long-time adversaries, facilitated by Pakistan as a neutral intermediary seeking to ease regional tensions. Although no agreement was reached, both sides reportedly signaled willingness to continue discussions in the future.
Officials involved in the process described the initial round as difficult but constructive in parts, with mediators urging both sides to avoid steps that could further destabilize the region.
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