US-Iran Talks In Limbo, IRGC Sources Say Can Fight Longer; Pakistan Mediates With Caution

Last Updated:April 20, 2026, 09:13 IST

The IRGC has reportedly ruled out negotiations unless all of Iran’s demands are met, rejecting what it calls “illegal demands” imposed by the United States and Israel.

Confusion and escalating rhetoric have cast a shadow over the proposed second round of US-Iran talks in Islamabad, with sharply conflicting signals emerging from Washington, Tehran, and Islamabad. While US President Donald Trump has publicly claimed that negotiations are set to resume, Iranian officials and state-linked media have outright denied that any such talks are confirmed.

According to statements posted by Trump on Truth Social, US negotiators were expected to arrive in Pakistan, coupled with a renewed warning that Iran’s civilian infrastructure could be targeted if Tehran refuses to strike a deal. However, Iran’s official news agency, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), dismissed these claims as “false and baseless," describing them as part of a broader “media game" and pressure tactic by Washington.

The denial reflects deeper tensions. IRNA accused the United States of derailing diplomacy through “excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, and constant shifts in stance," along with what Tehran considers a violation of the ceasefire, namely, a naval blockade. These grievances, Iranian officials say, have made the prospects for meaningful negotiations increasingly bleak.

Adding to the uncertainty, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has taken an uncompromising stance. Sources linked to the powerful military body suggest that Iran is prepared for prolonged conflict, asserting that the country can sustain war efforts for months if necessary. The IRGC has reportedly ruled out negotiations unless all of Iran’s demands are met, rejecting what it calls “illegal demands" imposed by the United States and Israel.

Further complicating the diplomatic picture, the IRGC-linked Tasnim News Agency has stated that talks cannot proceed as long as Trump’s proposed naval blockade remains in effect. Iranian officials view the blockade as a direct breach of prior understandings, further eroding trust.

Meanwhile, Pakistan appears to be playing a cautious intermediary role. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held discussions with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, while Pakistan’s foreign minister engaged with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. Despite these high-level contacts, official readouts from Islamabad have avoided confirming any concrete timeline or participation details for the proposed talks.

Tehran’s messaging during these interactions has remained firm. President Pezeshkian reportedly criticised what he described as “bullying and unreasonable behaviour" by the United States, warning that continued threats would only deepen distrust. He also reiterated Iran’s commitment to defending its sovereignty against any perceived aggression.

With both sides hardening positions and even the existence of talks under dispute, the diplomatic pathway appears increasingly uncertain. What was initially projected as a step toward de-escalation now risks becoming another flashpoint in an already volatile US-Iran standoff.

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