Will Iran Join Islamabad Talks? Mixed Signals Continue A Day Before Truce Expiry

Last Updated:April 21, 2026, 18:45 IST

As the truce deadline nears and Trump ramps up warnings of strikes on Iranian infrastructure, Iranian state media says no delegation has reached Islamabad.

Iranian state-run media for the second day on Tuesday denied Tehran’s participation in the second round of peace talks in Islamabad, even as the US delegation said it is en route to the Pakistani capital for discussions to end the war, now in its seventh week.

Neither side has publicly confirmed the timing of the talks, with Iranian state television saying no official has arrived in Islamabad. However, US President Donald Trump told the New York Post that Vice President JD Vance would travel to the Pakistani capital city on Tuesday.

US media reports, however, pointed to a different signal. The Associated Press said two regional officials indicated that both sides are expected to attend a new round of ceasefire talks in Islamabad. A day earlier, citing Pakistani officials, it had reported that Iran was likely to send a delegation despite Tehran publicly denying participation.

The mixed signals have continued through the week, underscoring uncertainty over the direction of the conflict as the ceasefire, which began on April 8, is set to expire on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Trump struck an upbeat note on Washington’s negotiating position as his envoys prepared for talks. “We’re going to end up with a great deal. I think they have no choice… We’re in a very, very strong negotiating position," he told CNBC on Tuesday.

He has also warned that “lots of bombs" would “start going off" if no agreement is reached before the ceasefire deadline. On the other side, Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran has “new cards on the battlefield" that have not yet been revealed.

Who’s Heading The Delegations

Vance is expected to lead the US delegation, as he did in the previous round. His presence is seen as key, with a New York Times report suggesting Ghalibaf would attend if the US Vice President also participates.

He is likely to be accompanied by adviser Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Iran is expected to be represented by Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

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