President Trump stated on the 20th that the two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran will expire “at 10 p.m. Washington time on the 22nd.” U.S. Vice President Vance will travel to Pakistan, and a new round of negotiations is scheduled to begin on the 21st. Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that Iran will comprehensively evaluate various factors to determine the next course of action. According to Iranian media reports, Iran’s decision not to participate in the new round of negotiations remains unchanged.

In a phone interview with Bloomberg reporters on the 20th, Trump said that if the two sides cannot reach an agreement before the temporary ceasefire expires, extending the ceasefire is “highly unlikely.” He also stated that the U.S. side “will not rush into a bad deal. We have plenty of time.” The maritime blockade of Iran will not be lifted until an agreement is reached. When asked whether military action against Iran would resume immediately if no agreement is reached, Trump said: “If no agreement is reached, I certainly expect that.”

According to a report citing two Iranian officials, an Iranian delegation plans to travel to Islamabad on the 21st for negotiations with the United States. If Vance attends the negotiations, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf will also participate.

During a phone call on the 20th with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi pointed out that the U.S.’s continued provocations and violations of the ceasefire agreement, especially threats and actions against Iranian commercial vessels, as well as contradictory positions and threatening remarks, are the main obstacles to advancing the diplomatic process.

Araghchi also spoke by phone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that same day. He stated that Iran will closely monitor relevant developments and make necessary decisions based on protecting national interests and security. Lavrov emphasized that Russia reiterates the need to maintain the ceasefire under the conditions previously agreed upon and announced through Pakistan’s coordination, and noted that continued diplomatic efforts are essential to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control or escalating into armed conflict.

According to Iranian media reports, whether Iran participates in the negotiations depends on whether certain preconditions are met. The ongoing U.S. maritime blockade of Iran is a key obstacle to the current negotiations. This issue has been communicated to the U.S. by Pakistan, and Pakistan stated that it had discussed the matter with Trump that day.

The report said that the U.S. has also made other excessive demands, making the prospects for negotiations uncertain. The Iranian delegation believes that unless the U.S. adopts a pragmatic approach and abandons miscalculations that led to its disastrous defeat in the military domain, the negotiations are a complete waste of time. Iran will not join the U.S. in such a futile endeavor.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian posted on social media that day, saying that keeping promises is the foundation for meaningful dialogue. The recent unconstructive and contradictory attitude of U.S. officials sends a message: they are trying to force Iran to submit, but the Iranian people will never yield to coercion. Ghalibaf later posted on social media, stating that Trump, through blockades and violations of the ceasefire, is trying to turn the negotiating table into a “surrender table,” or find excuses to reignite war, but Iran will not accept coercion.

The social media account of Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba posted a message on the 20th, reiterating Iran’s three fundamental positions: Iran will hold those responsible for attacks against it accountable and demand compensation for war losses; advance the management of the Strait of Hormuz into a new phase; and never abandon its legitimate rights, viewing all “resistance fronts” in the region as a unified whole.

Washington

Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, was established in 1790 as a compromise between northern and southern states, with its location chosen by President George Washington. The city is home to iconic landmarks such as the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the Washington Monument, and it serves as the center of the U.S. federal government. Its history is deeply tied to American democracy, having been designed by Pierre L’Enfant and rebuilt after being burned by British forces during the War of 1812.

Pakistan

Pakistan is a South Asian country with a rich history, home to ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley and later influenced by Persian, Islamic, and British colonial rule. It gained independence from British India in 1947, becoming a separate nation for Muslims of the region. Today, Pakistan is known for its diverse cultures, historic sites such as Mohenjo-Daro and the Badshahi Mosque, and stunning landscapes from the Karakoram mountains to the Arabian Sea coast.

Islamabad

Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, was built in the 1960s to replace Karachi as the national capital, with its construction beginning in 1961 and officially becoming the capital in 1963. Designed as a planned city by Greek architect Constantinos Apostolou Doxiadis, it is known for its modern layout, lush greenery, and iconic landmarks like the Faisal Mosque. The city serves as the political and administrative hub of the country, blending contemporary development with the natural beauty of the Margalla Hills.

Bloomberg

Bloomberg is a global financial, software, data, and media company headquartered in New York City, founded in 1981 by Michael Bloomberg. Originally launched as a financial information provider through its innovative Bloomberg Terminal, the company rapidly grew into a major force in business journalism and technology. Its headquarters, located at 731 Lexington Avenue, is known for its futuristic design and houses Bloomberg’s news operations, which include Bloomberg News, Bloomberg Television, and Bloomberg Businessweek.

Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow, strategically vital waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, serving as a chokepoint for roughly 20% of the world’s oil transit. Its history as a key trade route dates back centuries, with control of the strait contested by various empires, including the Portuguese in the 16th century and later the British. Today, it remains a focal point of geopolitical tension, particularly due to Iran’s strategic position along its northern coast.