Former US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that a second round of talks between the United States and Iran is scheduled to take place on Monday in Pakistan. However, Tehran has not officially confirmed its participation in these negotiations, creating uncertainty just two days before a ceasefire deal that ended over a month of war is set to expire on Wednesday.

The talks have been further clouded by an incident on Sunday, when US Marines captured an Iranian-flagged container ship near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian authorities condemned the move and pledged retaliation, adding tension to the upcoming discussions in Islamabad and raising concerns about escalating regional instability.

Trump, while announcing the dispatch of a team to Pakistan for talks, once again threatened to knock out Iran's power plants and bridges if no deal is reached. These statements, made against the backdrop of the impending ceasefire expiration, highlight the fragile nature of the diplomatic efforts and the potential for renewed conflict.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday, reaffirming his government's readiness to mediate the conflict. Although Pakistan aims to facilitate peace, the unresolved disputes between the US and Iran, coupled with the recent maritime seizure, cast doubt on the prospects for a successful outcome in the talks.

Source: www.aljazeera.com