#美伊二轮谈判进展 Negotiations “Collapse,” the Situation Falls into Deadlock

The second round of US–Iran talks originally scheduled for April 22 in Islamabad, Pakistan has officially been shelved. On the 21st, Iran explicitly refused to attend, accusing the US side of lacking sincerity; the US side then canceled Vice President Vance’s itinerary. Although US President Trump announced an extension of an impending temporary ceasefire, the two sides’ huge disagreements on core issues caused this round of dialogue to fail to take place.

Root Causes of the Break: A Deficit of Trust and Core Disagreements

The collapse of the talks was not accidental, but an inevitable result of the two sides’ long-term strategic maneuvering:

Iran’s Accusations: Iran accuses the US of “inconsistent words and deeds”—on one hand, it releases signals of willingness to negotiate, while on the other hand it maintains the blockade of Iranian ports and applies military pressure. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei said directly that the US side’s conduct is “unacceptable,” and that taking part in the talks is a “waste of time.”

Fundamental Contradictions: The two sides’ positions diverge sharply on issues such as sanctions relief (Iran demands comprehensive lifting, while the US refuses), the nuclear program (the US demands an indefinite suspension, while Iran insists on its right to peaceful use), and regional security, leaving no basis for mutual trust.

Outlook: A Wear-and-Tear Game of Talking While Fighting

Although the negotiation table is temporarily cold, the situation has not completely spun out of control. Trump’s extension of the ceasefire shows that the US still hopes to keep a diplomatic opening and prevent the conflict from escalating immediately. In the short term, US–Iran relations will most likely maintain a costly pattern of “confrontation while probing,” seeking a new balance between military deterrence and diplomatic tug-of-war, but any substantive breakthrough will still require major political decisions.