Iran rejects second round of talks with US

Iran rejected taking part in the second round of talks with the United States, the regime's official news agency, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), said on Sunday.The reports circulating about a second round of negotiations in Islamabad are false.— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) April 19, 2026“Iran stated that its absence from the second round of talks stems from what it called Washington's excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions, and the ongoing naval blockade, which it considers a breach of the ceasefire,” the IRNA said.Iran stated that its absence from the second round of talks stems from what it called Washington's excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, repeated contradictions, and the ongoing naval blockade, which it considers a breach of the ceasefire.— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) April 19, 2026The IRNA also accused the US of playing a “blame game,” lying about Iran's participation in a second round of talks in order to put pressure on the country.Trump accuses Iran of violating ceasefire, says peace deal will be madeEarlier on Sunday, US President Donald Trump said that Iran has committed a “serious violation” of the ceasefire, but still thinks he can get a peace deal, ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl posted on X/Twitter.President Trump tells me Iran has committed a “serious violation” of the ceasefire but he still thinks he can get a peace deal:"It will happen. One way or another. The nice way or the hard way. It's going to happen. You can quote me."— Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) April 19, 2026Trump previously wrote in a post on Truth Social that US representatives are going to Islamabad, Pakistan, “tomorrow night” for Iran negotiations, with a White House official later confirming to The Jerusalem Post that US Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner would lead the delegation heading to Pakistan.On Sunday afternoon, Trump told Axios that he is optimistic about the talks with Iran. "I feel fine about it. The concept of the deal is done. I think we have a very good chance to get it completed," he said.Netanyahu to convene the security cabinet over Trump's ceasefire ultimatumPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a conversation Sunday night with members of the inner cabinet ahead of the expiration of Trump's ultimatum. On Monday, Netanyahu will convene a meeting of the security cabinet.The American administration announced that a delegation led by US Vice President JD Vance will travel to Pakistan for talks with Iran, along with envoys Witkoff and Kushner. Two sources told the Post that the US would like to reach a framework deal and then discuss the details. Iranian officials, in a series of media reports, have denied that a second round of talks will take place.Some reports claim that an Iranian delegation will not arrive in Pakistan as long as the United States maintains its blockade on Iran.“The two major hotels, the Marriott and the Serena, will likely host the delegations, and guests have been asked to check out,” Omer Azhar, a Pakistan-based current and foreign affairs analyst, told the Post. “In addition, beautification work has begun and is nearing completion. Islamabad is fully prepared to host peace talks in the coming week.”Azhar added that Pakistanis are optimistic about the possibility of reaching an agreement between the US and Iran.“Pakistan has maintained a very delicate balance between all stakeholders, including Washington, Tehran, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states. There is confidence that something positive may come out of this.”While Trump has described the talks as a final opportunity for the Iranians, the US military is preparing for the possibility that it may be ordered to strike. A US official told the Post that “American forces have completed their preparations and are ready for any scenario.” Meanwhile, the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush is making its way to the region.Reuters contributed to this report.