White House says discussing second round of Iran talks in Pakistan

WASHINGTON: The United States is discussing holding a second round of peace talks with Iran in Pakistan and is optimistic about reaching a deal, the White House said on Wednesday.

"Those discussions are being had," and "we feel good about the prospects of a deal," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, adding that further talks "would very likely" be in Islamabad.

Commenting on reports regarding a US request for an extension of the ceasefire, Leavitt called them “bad reporting,” saying they were not true at this time.

“We remain very engaged in these negotiations, in these talks. You heard from the vice president directly and the president this week that these conversations are productive, and that’s where we are right now,” she said.

The press secretary also hailed Pakistan and its leadership for their role in the mediation.

“I just want to make one point that is important to the president: Pakistan has been an incredible mediator throughout this process, and we really appreciate their friendship and their efforts to bring this deal to a close. They are the only mediators in these negotiations,” she said.

She added that many countries had offered to help, but President Trump believed it was important to "continue and streamline communication" through Pakistan.

Trump says China agreed not to supply weapons to Iran

Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump said that Beijing has agreed not to supply weapons to Iran, vowing to permanently reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

“China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also, and the world. This situation will never happen again,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Trump said that China has "agreed not to send weapons to Iran”, adding that “President Xi [Jinping] will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks.”

His remarks came as Trump is set to travel to Beijing from May 14-15 for a meeting with President Xi Jinping, marking the US president’s first visit to China in his second term.

“We are working together smartly, and very well! Doesn’t that beat fighting? But remember, we are very good at fighting, if we have to — far better than anyone else,” he said.

After US-Iran talks in Islamabad seeking to end the conflict in the Middle East hit an impasse on early Sunday, Trump announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which took effect at 1400GMT Monday.

Iran says US message exchange via Pakistan continues as Pezeshkian insists Tehran 'does not seek war'

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said a Pakistani delegation might arrive in Iran today, while President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted that "Iran does not seek war or instability."

A Pakistani delegation will probably arrive in Iran on Wednesday and pass on messages from the US in a continuation of talks between Tehran and Washington, spokesperson Baghaei said in a weekly press conference carried by state media.

Exchanges of messages continued after the Iranian delegation returned home from US-Iranian talks that were hosted by Pakistan on Saturday, he added.

Earlier, President Pezeshkian said that Iran did not seek war but dialogue, and that any attempt by the US to impose its will or force Iran to surrender will fail, according to IRNA.

“Iran does not seek war or instability” and has emphasised dialogue and constructive engagement with other countries, Pezeshkian said. He went on to add that “any attempt to impose will or force the country into submission is doomed to fail, and the Iranian nation will never accept such an approach”.

According to the IRNA, he criticised the double standards in international conduct. “What justification is there in targeting civilians, elites, children and destroying vital centres, including schools and hospitals, within the framework of international law and humanitarian principles?”