US-Iran Peace Talks in Doubt After Ship Seizure

**Summary:** The future of the US-Iran peace talks hangs in the balance as a second round of negotiations is set to take place in Islamabad, Pakistan, just before a fragile ceasefire expires on Wednesday. Vice President J.D. Vance is expected to lead the American delegation, accompanied by Middle East advisors Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, according to confirmation from the White House. However, Iran's participation remains uncertain after the United States seized an Iranian cargo vessel near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, prompting Tehran to denounce what it called "contradictory signals" from Washington. Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian stated that "Iranians do not submit to force," while Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf rejected negotiating "under threats," accusing Trump of trying to turn the negotiating table into "a surrender table." The breakdown in trust stems from mutually conflicting accusations over ceasefire violations. The United States maintains that Iran has blocked maritime traffic and attacked European tankers, while Iran argues that Washington broke the agreement by maintaining its naval blockade of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil and gas supply normally passes. President Trump has warned that if negotiations fail, US forces will destroy all of Iran's electrical plants and bridges, claiming the Islamic Republic loses approximately $500 million daily from sanctions. Despite the hostile rhetoric, Trump expressed willingness to meet directly with Iranian leaders if progress is achieved, insisting his core demand is that Iran abandons any nuclear ambitions. Meanwhile, regional tensions continue to escalate on multiple fronts. A pro-Iranian Iraqi militia announced it is "fully prepared to resume" attacks against US interests with "more advanced weapons," while the United Arab Emirates reported dismantling an "Iran-linked terrorist cell." In parallel developments, the European Union is debating whether to suspend its association agreement with Israel amid widespread condemnation of the death penalty approval against Palestinians, with UN experts calling it "a clear moral test" for Europe. Separately, Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to hold their own second round of negotiations in Washington on Thursday.