[Anchor]
Contrary to U.S. President Trump’s statement that a second ceasefire agreement with Iran would likely be reached around the weekend, exploratory talks have stalled, and the negotiations missed the weekend deadline.
There are only about two days remaining until the ceasefire expires. Let’s connect to Washington for more details.
Reporter Jeong Ho-yoon, please.
[Reporter]
This is Washington.
President Trump’s prediction regarding the timing of the second round of talks with Iran and the prospect of an agreement, saying it could happen ‘within a day or two’ or ‘this weekend,’ has proven incorrect.
While back-channel negotiations may have been intense, there have been no visible developments or results. With the interim two-week ceasefire set to expire on Wednesday morning, our time, only about two days remain for negotiations.
Neither the U.S. nor Iran has publicly mentioned the necessity of extending the ceasefire. However, with many unresolved issues, such as Iran’s nuclear disarmament, and the intense psychological warfare even before sitting at the negotiation table, the path forward seems uncertain.
[Anchor]
In this situation, the U.S. delegation for the second round of talks has headed to Pakistan, where the meeting is to be held. Is it true that Vice President Pence is leading the U.S. delegation again?
[Reporter]
Yes, that’s correct.
The U.S. negotiation team heading to Pakistan is organized exactly as it was in the first negotiation. Despite considering excluding Vice President Pence due to security concerns, after Trump’s initial explanation, he eventually decided to have Pence lead the delegation in line with the summit-level nature of the talks.
After sending the negotiation team, the U.S. upped the pressure on Iran. President Trump announced that the U.S. had intercepted an Iranian cargo ship attempting to breach America’s maritime blockade and brought it into custody. It appears that the U.S. might have fired upon and seized the Iranian cargo ship.
Furthermore, stating, “No more being Mr. Nice Guy,” Trump warned that if Iran refuses to agree, the U.S. would target infrastructure such as power plants and bridges. In the past, the U.S. attacked Iran’s largest bridge following the start of the war, which was criticized as a war crime.
As concerns rise again over the renewed threat of infrastructure attacks, Trump’s aides have actively moved to defend him. Let’s listen in.
[Mike Waltz / U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (ABC NEWS Interview)] “(Is it not a war crime for President Trump to state intention to attack Iran’s power plants and bridges?) It is a stage of escalation and is fully permitted within the rules of ground war.”
[Anchor]
Let’s also look into the atmosphere on the Iranian side.
Unlike the U.S., which has sent a negotiation team, Iran seems to be holding back. What does this imply?
[Reporter]
Yes, Iran is questioning the prospects of the negotiations and even their occurrence while pointing out the issue of the U.S.’ continuous maritime blockade on Iran since the truce.
Iran criticizes the U.S. announcement on the talks as a mere tactic to shift blame and “media play.” Iranian media have reported that they haven’t decided on sending a negotiation delegation yet and will not engage in talks as long as the U.S. maintains its maritime blockade.
Although it’s difficult to assert definitively, Iran’s stance seems more about ongoing posturing rather than an outright refusal to sit with the U.S. It is likely aimed at steering key issues in its favor and asserting dominance before the talks begin.
Trump’s statement last week that “Iran has already agreed to give up nuclear weapons and transfer enriched uranium to the U.S.” also reflects this psychological strategy.
However, the U.S. and Iran have been locked in a war of nerves over the Hormuz blockade throughout the weekend, accusing each other of violating the truce agreement.
Meanwhile, with the expiry of the ceasefire just two days away, the second round of talks, which might be the final showdown, is expected to proceed at the juncture of armistice and escalation.
If the second round of talks draws only parallel lines, there is a possible risk that the war could escalate into a full-scale conflict.
This has been Jeong Ho-yoon in Washington for Yonhap News TV.
[Video editing by Kim Hwi-su]
For inquiries and reports, contact Yonhap News TV via KakaoTalk/Line: jebo23.