"Last Chance Negotiations".. What Do We Know About the Upcoming Second Round of Talks Between Washington and Tehran?

SadaNews - Hours separate us from what analysts and experts have described as "last chance negotiations" between the United States and Iran, scheduled to take place in the Pakistani capital Islamabad today, unless Tehran continues to adhere to its decision to boycott the talks.

In the latest updates, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the framework for an agreement with Iran is ready, expressing optimism about the negotiations to be held in Pakistan, while Israel is exploring all potential scenarios.

The U.S. President told Channel 12 in Israel that he feels "good about" the negotiations with Iran, indicating the continuation of the negotiation process despite ongoing tensions.

Trump had previously confirmed in statements to the New York Post that he put forth a fair and acceptable offer to Iran, expressing hope that it would accept, adding that "if they do not, they will be forced to surrender quickly; we will easily destroy all power stations and bridges, and it will be my honor to do what needs to be done".

Despite the sharp warning tone, U.S. officials in the White House predicted an imminent breakthrough in negotiations with Iran.

In this context, CNN reported that the Washington delegation for the second round of negotiations - expected today in Pakistan - will include the same figures who participated in the first round.

Accordingly, the U.S. delegation will include JD Vance, the Vice President, and envoys Steve Witan and Jared Kushner.

Pakistani government officials informed Anadolu Agency of the landing of two planes in Islamabad carrying the preliminary delegation coming from Washington to participate in the second round of negotiations, and Geo News reported that the Pakistani police announced strict security measures in the capital ahead of the second round of talks between the United States and Iran.

On the other side, Iranian state media reported yesterday that Tehran is not currently planning to participate in new talks with the United States in Pakistan, despite American assurances regarding the negotiations and the sending of its delegation.

Iran's radio and television authority quoted sources in Tehran as saying that "there are currently no plans to participate in the next round of talks between Iran and the United States".

However, CNN predicted the participation of Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqir Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in the negotiations. It is likely that the American and Iranian Presidents, Joe Biden and Masoud Bezhakian respectively, will attend Islamabad if an agreement is reached.

This comes as Islamabad continues to seek to bridge differences, with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif stating that he held a phone call with the Iranian President, confirming his government's readiness to continue its mediating role to reach an agreement that ends the war.

Sharif wrote on the "X" platform yesterday: "I had a friendly and constructive conversation this evening with President Dr. Masoud Bezhakian regarding developments in the regional situation". He added, "Pakistan remains fully committed to its role as an honest and sincere mediator for lasting peace and regional stability".

In light of these developments, the Israeli Security Cabinet (Knesset) met on Sunday evening for consultations regarding the updates, and a meeting of the Political Security Cabinet is scheduled for today to discuss potential scenarios, according to Channel 12 in Israel.

According to the Israeli channel, Tel Aviv assesses that Trump prefers to reach an agreement, and that if no understandings are reached during the ongoing negotiations - mediated by Pakistan - it is likely that the ceasefire will be extended to allow more time for talks.

Conversely, estimates indicated that preparations are being made for the possibility of a sudden resumption of fighting if the negotiation path collapses.

The channel quoted a senior Israeli official as saying: "We do not fully know where things are headed, Trump wants negotiations," but he claims that "the Iranian hardline position" could lead to a resumption of fighting, referring to the U.S. President's post where he talked about bombing all power stations and bridges in Iran if negotiations fail.

According to the same source, Israel is currently working on drafting a list of targets if fighting resumes, although political sources confirmed that there are other "different types of targets" that have not yet been finalized, and are not necessarily linked to infrastructure.

The Israeli channel stated that, in any case, Israel is monitoring developments very closely, amid assessments that the transition from a ceasefire to renewed fighting could happen quickly, with all relevant systems prepared for this scenario if negotiations fail.

The first round of negotiations between Iran and the United States - at the end of last week in Islamabad - ended without achieving tangible results on the main points of contention, which mainly concern Iranian nuclear and missile ambitions and navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

These disputes cast a shadow over the second round of negotiations mediated by the Pakistani mediator, amid doubts about the possibility of reaching an agreement that ends the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, prior to the expiration of the current ceasefire next Wednesday.

Diplomats on the eve of the negotiations said that reaching a framework agreement may be possible, based on a nuclear and economic package, but warned that the nuclear file remains the most contentious issue.

The talks focus on Iran's stockpile of about 440 kilograms of enriched uranium at 60%, a material that can be used to make several nuclear weapons if further enriched.

Alongside the stockpiles, the deeper dispute revolves around Iran's fundamental right to enrich uranium.

A senior Trump administration official said Washington's red lines include stopping uranium enrichment operations, dismantling major enrichment facilities, obtaining highly enriched uranium, and accepting a broader framework for de-escalation that includes regional allies.

The economic track in the negotiations also focuses on lifting sanctions and freezing Iranian assets, as well as providing security guarantees to regional countries, while diplomats believe that Iran's demand to completely abandon ballistic missiles would be unrealistic without broader security guarantees.