Iran rejects second round of U.S. talks, cites ‘excessive’ American demands

Iran will not participate in a second round of talks with the United States, according to Iranian state media, which said Tehran objected to what it described as excessive and unrealistic demands from Washington.
The reported decision casts doubt on efforts to revive diplomacy after recent high-level contacts between the two countries in Pakistan, where negotiators had sought to ease tensions over Iran’s nuclear program, regional security issues and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian media cites shifting U.S. positions
Iran’s official IRNA news agency said repeated changes in U.S. positions, contradictory public statements and unreasonable requests had blocked progress in the negotiations.
Iranian officials have recently criticized Washington’s “maximalist” stance, particularly over uranium enrichment and broader security demands.
U.S. still signals interest in diplomacy
Despite Tehran’s announcement, President Donald Trump said U.S. negotiators were prepared to continue talks and planned to travel to Pakistan for another round of meetings.
The White House has publicly maintained that diplomacy remains possible, even as Trump has paired that message with renewed threats of military action if no agreement is reached.
Markets watching Strait of Hormuz
The diplomatic setback comes as investors monitor disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments. Any prolonged impasse between Washington and Tehran could intensify concerns over energy supplies and regional stability.
Dear Readers:We recognize that politics often intersects with the financial news of the day, so we invite you to clickhereto join the separate political discussion.