Iran foreign ministry spokesperson says Tehran yet to decide on participating in talks with US in Islamabad

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Iran has not yet decided whether to participate in the second round of talks with the United States in Pakistan, according to foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, who spoke to Iranian state television on Tuesday. The uncertainty comes as Pakistan, which is facilitating the talks, awaits a formal response from Tehran, and as the US military announced the detention of an oil tanker sanctioned for carrying Iranian crude.

Coverage comparison

Reporting on the developments has been consistent across Al Jazeera, Pakistan's Dawn, and Germany's Deutsche Welle, though with some differences in emphasis. Al Jazeera's coverage highlighted the US military's detention of the tanker M/T Tifani in the Indian Ocean, describing it as part of a broader US effort to disrupt illicit networks supporting Iran. Dawn's reporting, in two separate articles, focused on Pakistan's role as intermediary and the pressure of the approaching ceasefire deadline. Deutsche Welle combined both threads, detailing Pakistan's wait for Iran's formal response and the US interception of the tanker.

All sources reported that Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson characterized US actions against Iranian vessels as "piracy at sea and state terrorism," questioning Washington's seriousness in negotiations. The term was carried by Al Jazeera, Dawn, and Deutsche Welle, though its prominence varied.

Key claims

• Iran's decision pending: According to multiple reports, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said Tehran had not yet decided whether to attend talks with the US in Pakistan. Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar was quoted as saying a formal response was "still awaited" as of Tuesday evening, and that a decision before the ceasefire ends is "critical."
• Ceasefire deadline: The two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran ends at 4:50 a.m. PST on April 22, according to statements from Pakistan's information minister reported by Dawn and Deutsche Welle. US President Donald Trump has said he does not want to extend the ceasefire, as reported by multiple outlets.
• First round of talks: The first round of US-Iran talks ended without an agreement, according to reports from Dawn.
• US detains oil tanker: US forces boarded the M/T Tifani, a tanker under sanctions for trading with Iran, without incident, according to a Pentagon statement reported by Al Jazeera, Dawn, and Deutsche Welle. The tanker was carrying approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil loaded at Iran's Kharg Island, per maritime tracking data cited by Al Jazeera and Deutsche Welle. The US military said it is determined "to disrupt illicit networks and interdict sanctioned vessels providing material support to Iran."
• Pakistan as facilitator: Pakistan has positioned itself as a facilitator in the peace process, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urging both sides to "consider extending the ceasefire and give dialogue and diplomacy a chance," according to the Foreign Office statement reported by Dawn.

Perspectives

The situation reflects a delicate diplomatic moment. Pakistan's government has emphasized its role as a mediator, with officials saying they remain in constant contact with both sides. However, Tehran's hesitation, combined with Washington's continued interdiction of Iranian-linked shipments, underscores the fragility of the talks. US President Donald Trump, reportedly citing his country's "strong negotiating position," has expressed optimism about a potential deal but has also indicated he does not favor extending the ceasefire.

Iranian officials, for their part, have accused the US of "piracy at sea and state terrorism," questioning Washington's commitment to negotiation. The language suggests deep mistrust, even as channels of communication remain open. The outcome of Pakistan's efforts could hinge on whether the ceasefire is extended or whether talks proceed before the deadline expires.

This article was compiled from reporting by Al Jazeera, Dawn, and Deutsche Welle. Some claims, such as the world facing its worst-ever energy crisis due to the US-Iran war, were carried by a single outlet and have not been independently verified.