Hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough in the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran faded on Sunday, as renewed efforts to revive negotiations faltered and both sides showed little willingness to compromise.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi returned to Islamabad after a brief visit to Oman, according to state media reports. His return comes just a day after departing the Pakistani capital, where he had conveyed Tehran’s position on what he described as a “workable framework” to end the war during meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior officials.
However, diplomatic momentum quickly waned. US President Donald Trump announced that he had cancelled a planned visit by American envoys to Pakistan, citing dissatisfaction with Iran’s proposals. Araghchi responded by questioning Washington’s seriousness about diplomacy, stating he had “yet to see” concrete commitment from the US side.
Ahead of his return to Islamabad, Araghchi also held a phone conversation with Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, where he discussed developments surrounding the fragile ceasefire and ongoing diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.
US-Iran peace hopes fade
Despite a ceasefire that has halted large-scale fighting, no meaningful progress has been made towards a lasting settlement. The conflict, which began on 28 February following US-Israeli strikes on Iran, has already claimed thousands of lives and triggered widespread economic repercussions, including rising oil prices and inflationary pressures worldwide.
Sources in Pakistan indicated that US forces had begun removing security equipment from Islamabad, suggesting that any immediate return of American negotiators is unlikely. The uncertainty surrounding the format and venue of future talks further complicates prospects for dialogue.
Meanwhile, the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the talks, as Iran has largely restricted access to the vital waterway—through which nearly one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies typically pass—while the United States continues its naval blockade targeting Iranian exports.
Iran demands end to blockade
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated Tehran’s firm stance in a phone call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, stating that Iran would not engage in what he termed “imposed negotiations” conducted under pressure or coercion.
He emphasised that the United States must first lift its maritime blockade and remove other obstacles before any substantive talks can begin. Iranian officials have also called for a regional security framework that excludes external interference, particularly in relation to the Strait of Hormuz.
For his part, Trump downplayed Iran’s proposals, saying they were insufficient. “Iran offered a lot, but not enough,” he remarked, explaining his decision to cancel the envoys’ visit.
An earlier round of negotiations in Islamabad—led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf—ended without agreement.
War rhetoric and regional instability
Trump further escalated rhetoric by claiming on social media that Iran’s leadership was plagued by internal divisions. “Nobody knows who is in charge,” he wrote, asserting that the United States held the upper hand.
Tehran has rejected such claims. President Pezeshkian recently said the country remains united, dismissing any notion of factional division within the leadership.
The broader regional situation remains volatile. Iran has carried out strikes targeting Gulf states, while hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon have intensified.
Pressure from war felt beyond combatants
Analysts suggest that neither the United States nor Iran is under immediate pressure to compromise, as both are relatively insulated from the most severe economic consequences of the conflict.
Instead, the burden is being felt by third-party countries and sectors. Nations dependent on energy and maritime trade routes—particularly in Africa and parts of Asia—are experiencing significant disruptions. Key industries, including agriculture, have also been affected due to shortages of fertiliser, helium, and petroleum shipments.
While Iran may face some pressure from partners such as China and Russia, observers note that Tehran has historically demonstrated resilience under prolonged sanctions. The United States, with its relative energy self-sufficiency, is also seen as capable of sustaining the standoff.
As a result, the urgency for a resolution is strongest among countries indirectly impacted by the conflict, even as the main actors remain locked in a deep geopolitical impasse.
