The two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States expires on Wednesday, Reuters recalled, adding that it is not yet known whether the negotiations between Washington and Tehran announced on Tuesday will take place. US representatives are scheduled to reach Islamabad for negotiations with Iran on Monday, but Iran has not yet announced whether it will send a delegation to the Pakistani capital.
Iranian state television, citing an anonymous source, reported that there were no plans for a second round of negotiations due to “excessive and irrational” US demands and Washington's changing position.
The armed conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran began on February 28. In response to the attack, Iran began shelling Israel and American bases and civilian infrastructure in the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf. He also immediately closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, which is the route for oil and gas exports to Asia and, to a lesser extent, Europe.
“Breaking the rules of diplomacy”
Tehran also announced that it would permanently take control of the strait and collect high fees from vessels passing through it. The US implemented a blockade of Iranian ports in retaliation. As a result, both countries are now restricting traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and questioning the legality of each other's actions. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Bagei on Sunday described the blockade of Iranian ports as “unlawful and criminal.”
During the hostilities, Tehran said on Monday, more than 3,300 people died on the Iranian side. people, there are also fatalities in Israel and Arab countries. The infrastructure in the region was also significantly damaged.
Both Iran and the United States accuse each other of violating the ceasefire. President Pezeszkian said that the US blockade shows that Washington is moving towards “repeating previous patterns of violating the rules of diplomacy,” state television reported.
