No date set for next US talks, says Iran deputy foreign minister

UPDATED: Apr 19, 2026 06:29 IST

Iran’s deputy foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has said that no date has been set for the next round of negotiations with the United States, stressing that both sides must first agree on a basic framework before returning to the table.

His remarks come in the aftermath of the highest-level US-Iran engagement since the Iranian Revolution, which concluded in Islamabad last weekend without any agreement, highlighting persistent gaps between the two sides.

Speaking on the sidelines of a diplomacy forum in Antalya, Khatibzadeh said Tehran is prioritising the finalisation of a “framework of understanding” before committing to further talks.

“We are now focusing on finalising the framework of understanding between the two sides. We don’t want to enter into any negotiation or meeting which is doomed to fail and which can be a pretext for another round of escalation,” he said.

TALKS STALL AFTER INITIAL PROGRESS

Khatibzadeh indicated that while some progress had been made during the first round, the discussions ultimately broke down due to what he described as a “maximalist approach” from the US side.

“Until we agree on the framework, we cannot set the date,” he added, suggesting that fundamental disagreements—particularly around legal and strategic expectations—continue to block forward movement.

UNCERTAINTY OVER NEXT STEPS

US President Donald Trump had earlier indicated that further direct talks could take place soon, potentially as early as this weekend. Iranian officials earlier familiar with the discussions told CNN that a fresh round of talks between Iranian and American negotiators is expected to take place in Islamabad on Monday.

However, people familiar with the situation have expressed doubts, citing logistical challenges and the lack of consensus following the inconclusive first round in Islamabad.

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