#美伊二轮谈判进展 Negotiation “Stalls” and the Situation Falls into Deadlock

The second round of US-Iran talks originally scheduled to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan on April 22 has officially been shelved. On the 21st, Iran clearly refused to attend, accusing the US side of lacking sincerity; the US then canceled Vice President Vance’s trip. Although US President Trump announced an extension of an almost-expiring temporary ceasefire, huge differences on core issues meant this round of dialogue could not go ahead.

The root cause of the breakdown: a trust deficit and fundamental disagreements

The talks breaking down is not accidental; it is the inevitable result of long-term gamesmanship between both sides:

Iran’s accusations: Iran accuses the US of “speaking with different mouths,” signaling willingness to negotiate while maintaining the blockade of Iranian ports and military pressure. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei said outright that the US side’s conduct is “unacceptable,” and that attending the talks is a “waste of time.”

The fundamental contradiction: the two sides stand diametrically opposed on issues including sanctions relief (Iran demands full lifting, while the US refuses), the nuclear program (the US demands an indefinite suspension, while Iran insists on the right to peaceful use), and regional security—leaving no basis for mutual trust.

Outlook: a war of attrition fought while negotiating

Although the talks table has temporarily gone cold, the situation has not completely slipped out of control. Trump’s extension of the ceasefire shows that the US still wants to keep a diplomatic channel open and prevent conflict from escalating immediately. In the short term, US-Iran relations will most likely continue the attrition pattern of “confrontation and probing,” seeking a new balance through military deterrence and diplomatic back-and-forth, but any substantive breakthrough still requires major political decisions.