Blatant ceasefire violations: Iran questions US seriousness on path…

During a press briefing on Monday, April 20, the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esma’il Baghaei, questioned the “credibility” of the United States in the diplomatic process and stated that no decision has been made regarding the country’s participation in Iranian-American talks. He cited “ceasefire violations,” particularly following the interception of an Iranian cargo ship the day before.

As uncertainty looms on Monday, April 20, about the negotiations between Iran and the United States in Pakistan, the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esma’il Baghaei, cast doubts on the seriousness of the United States in pursuing the diplomatic path. During his weekly press briefing on Monday, he also mentioned ongoing ceasefire violations.

“While claiming to prioritize diplomacy and expressing readiness to negotiate, the United States engages in behaviors that do not reflect a serious commitment to a diplomatic process,” he stated.

He further mentioned that the seizure of an Iranian cargo ship, the naval blockade of Iranian ports, and delays in implementing the ceasefire in Lebanon all constitute “clear violations of the ceasefire.” The previous day, an Iranian cargo ship was intercepted by the U.S. Navy in the Gulf of Oman.

“This ship attempted to break our naval blockade, and it did not end well for them,” Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. Tehran, through the voice of the state spokesperson, promised to “respond soon” to this “act of armed piracy” violating the ongoing ceasefire. According to the Tasnim agency, Iran sent drones towards U.S. military vessels that “attacked” the Touska.

In this context, the spokesperson added that Tehran has not yet made a decision regarding potential participation in new peace talks with Washington scheduled in Islamabad, as the ceasefire expires in two days.

An American delegation is on its way to Islamabad to restart the talks

Donald Trump announced the arrival of an American delegation in Islamabad, expected on the evening of Monday, April 20, to try to revive the peace talks. The goal is to permanently end the war that started on February 28 with Israeli-American strikes, which escalated the situation in the Middle East, leading to thousands of deaths, primarily in Iran and Lebanon, and significantly impacting the global economy.

While waiting for confirmation of whether the talks will take place or not, security in Islamabad seems to have been visibly strengthened with the closure of multiple roads, barbed wire, and barricades, observed by AFP journalists on Sunday.

The American delegation will be led by Vice President JD Vance, who was already present on April 11 for initial discussions that concluded in failure. In announcing this new session in Pakistan, Donald Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that the U.S. offers Iran a “reasonable deal” and, if refused, “the United States will destroy all power plants and bridges in Iran.”

Nuclear issues at the heart of tensions

Among the main sticking points are Iran’s stocks of highly enriched uranium and the status of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, sealed off by Tehran since the beginning of the conflict.

“Regarding the transfer of enriched uranium, neither during these negotiations nor before, such an option has been discussed,” reassured Esma’il Baghaei. “It has never been considered on our part.”

Last week, Iran denied accepting any transfer of nuclear material, contrary to what President Donald Trump had stated. The Iranian nuclear program was severely damaged following the 12-day war in June 2025 and the intense American-Israeli campaign of airstrikes in recent weeks.

However, Tehran still possesses a significant amount of highly enriched uranium at 60%, close to the 90% threshold required for making a nuclear bomb, in addition to the stock of enriched uranium at 20%, a critical level for quick escalation to 60% and then 90%.

Suspected by Western powers of seeking nuclear weapons, the Islamic Republic regularly rejects these allegations and defends its right to civilian nuclear energy.