Iran Rejects Trip to Pakistan, Trump Extends Ceasefire
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TEHERAN – Iran is reported to have rejected attending talks in Pakistan after the US did not back down from its “excessive demands” in recent days. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire.
“Therefore, Iran has finally announced today that, given this situation, it considers participating in the negotiations a waste of time, as the US is obstructing a fair agreement. Therefore, Iran will not engage with America,” wrote the Iranian media outlet Tasnim on Wednesday.
Iran has communicated its position to Pakistan and informed the mediators that it will not attend in Pakistan tomorrow, the agency reported.
Iran’s stance is related to the hijacking of an Iranian merchant vessel in the Sea of Oman by US marines on Sunday. That action is considered a violation of the ceasefire.
IRGC aerospace chief General Majid Mousavi said in his comments to Iranian media that carrying out more “aggression” against Iran would be a mistake. He also said that oil facilities in the Gulf region would be harmed if neighbouring countries allow the United States to launch attacks.
“If neighbouring countries in the southern region allow the enemy to use their facilities to attack Iran, they must say goodbye to oil production in the Middle East region,” Mousavi stated. The US has bases and troops in several countries in the Gulf region.
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the US is extending the ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan’s request while awaiting a unified proposal from Iran.
“Based on the fact that the Iranian Administration is divided, this is unexpected and, at the request of Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan, we were asked to hold off on Attacks against the Iranian State until their leaders and representatives can produce a unified proposal,” he wrote on Truth Social.
“Therefore, I have directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all respects, remain ready and capable, and therefore will extend the Ceasefire until their proposal is submitted and discussions are concluded, one way or another,” he added.