Uncertain Prospects for New Round of US-Iran Negotiations: Iran Refuses to Participate, Naval Clash Between Two Countries

According to multiple Iranian media reports on the 19th, Iran is prepared for the resurgence of conflict and has refused to participate in the second round of negotiations with the United States. On the same day, the U.S. military forcefully intercepted and took control of an Iranian cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman, with the Iranian military accusing the U.S. of openly violating the ceasefire agreement and stating that it will soon respond to this act of piracy.

Uncertain Negotiation Prospects; Iran May Not Participate

Earlier on the 19th, U.S. media cited White House officials reporting that U.S. Vice President Pence would lead a delegation to Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, to participate in a new round of U.S.-Iran negotiations. U.S. President Trump posted on social media that the U.S. delegation would arrive in Islamabad on the evening of the 20th. In an interview with The New York Times, he stated that if an agreement is reached between the U.S. and Iran, he is "very likely" to travel to Islamabad.

The Pakistani government issued a notice that all government departments and agencies located in the "Red Zone" of Islamabad would implement work-from-home arrangements on the 20th, with all officials and secretariat staff remaining on standby at their residences. This move was interpreted by outsiders as a response to Trump's potential and sudden visit.

However, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) reported on the 19th, citing Iranian sources, that Iran has no plans to participate in the next round of U.S.-Iran negotiations. The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that the news regarding the second round of U.S.-Iran negotiations in Islamabad is untrue. The U.S. has made excessive demands and unrealistic expectations, with a constantly changing and contradictory stance, while continuing to impose what is seen as a violation of the ceasefire agreement through maritime blockades and issuing threatening rhetoric, which has hindered progress in negotiations.

According to Tasnim News Agency, Iran believes the likelihood of renewed conflict is higher than that of continuing negotiations and has made full preparations for this. In response to Trump's renewed threat on the same day, stating, "I hope they accept, because if they do not accept, the U.S. will destroy every power plant and every bridge in Iran. The days of being nice are over," Iran stated that if hostilities resume and Iranian infrastructure becomes a target for attacks, Iran will completely abandon the previous restraint it maintained regarding certain energy enterprises and facilities of countries in the region, such as those in the Strait of Mandeb, Saudi Aramco, the Yanbu Industrial City in Saudi Arabia, and Fujairah Port in the UAE.

U.S.-Iran Naval Clash in the Gulf of Oman

Despite the U.S. claiming it wants to return to the negotiating table, the U.S. military continues to impose a maritime blockade on Iran, even resorting to forceful interceptions. On the afternoon of the 19th Eastern Time, Trump posted on social media that the U.S. military had forcefully intercepted and taken control of an Iranian cargo ship attempting to breach the U.S. maritime blockade in the Gulf of Oman. The U.S. Central Command subsequently released a statement and video, stating that the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the Iranian cargo ship "Touska," which was crossing the northern Arabian Sea and preparing to head to Iran's Bandar Abbas, firing its ship's guns at the ship's cabin, causing it to lose propulsion. U.S. Marines then boarded and took control of the cargo ship.

Later, the Iranian Armed Forces' Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters issued a statement saying that the U.S. openly violated the ceasefire agreement by firing on the Iranian container ship "Touska" heading to Iran in the Gulf of Oman and sending U.S. Marines aboard. The Iranian Armed Forces subsequently launched multiple drones to strike U.S. vessels. The Iranian Armed Forces will soon respond and retaliate against this act of armed piracy by the U.S. military.

According to IRIB on the 19th, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy has designated a new shipping route from south of Hormuz Island to south of Larak Island.

Reports indicate that this route has been named the "Larak Corridor," and passage is prohibited without permission from the Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy.

Iran: The U.S. Must Accept the New Order in the Strait of Hormuz

According to IRNA on the 19th, the chairman of the Iranian Islamic Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Ibrahim Azizi, stated that the U.S. must accept the new order in the Strait of Hormuz.

Additionally, Iranian parliament member Rezaei Kouchi stated on the 19th that Iran is drafting a comprehensive law to manage the Strait of Hormuz. According to this law, Iran will prohibit goods and vessels related to Israel from passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Vessels from hostile countries are also prohibited from passing through the strait without permission from Iran's Supreme National Security Council. Countries that have caused damage to Iran will also be barred from passing through the strait until they pay compensation.

The UK-based maritime analysis company Windward reported on the 19th that in the past 36 hours, 35 vessels have turned back while attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz. (Reporters: Fang Sixian, Hu Ruoyu, Li Jun, Chen Xiao, Shadati, Gao Wencheng, Zhou Xiaotian)