Iran rejects second round of US peace talks over 'excessive demands'

Tehran: Iran has rejected participation in a second round of peace talks with the United States, reportedly scheduled soon in Pakistan, official news agency IRNA announced.

Tehran's decision stems from Washington's "excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions, and the ongoing naval blockade", which Iran views as a ceasefire violation, IRNA stated on its English-language X account.

Reports of fresh talks in Islamabad are "not true", IRNA said in a Farsi report quoted by Xinhua, dismissing US claims as a "media game" and "blame game" tactic to apply pressure.

It highlighted America's "excessive, illogical and unrealistic demands, frequent changing of positions, constant contradictory remarks, continuation of the so-called naval blockade" as barriers to progress, adding there is currently "no bright prospect" for fruitful negotiations.

The backdrop includes joint Israel-US attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities on February 28, which killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior commanders, and civilians. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel and US assets in the Middle East, while imposing tight control over the Strait of Hormuz.

A ceasefire took hold on April 8, followed by initial talks between Iranian and US delegations in Islamabad on April 11-12. Negotiations collapsed, prompting a US blockade of the strait. A further round had been anticipated.

(Inputs from IANS)