Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:17pm on 19 Apr 2026,Sunday International
Iran said on Sunday it will not join the planned second round of talks with the United States in Pakistan. The move hurt hopes of progress before the ceasefire ends on April 22. Iranian state media said Tehran blamed Washington's "excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions" and the US naval blockade of its ports. Earlier, US President Donald Trump said American officials would reach Islamabad on Monday for talks. Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref also criticised the US approach and called its positions "childish". Key disputes remain over Iran's nuclear programme, regional allies, and control of the Strait of Hormuz. (PC: India Today)
