Iran's Foreign Ministry said on the 15th (local time) that despite the collapse of the first cease-fire talks with the United States over the weekend, the two countries have been exchanging views through a mediator.
Reuters, citing Iranian state media, reported that Esmail Baghaei, the Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, said, "Even after the Iranian negotiating team returned (from Islamabad), we exchanged multiple messages with the United States through Pakistan." This indicates the two countries have continued back-channel contact even after the talks fell apart.
He said, "We will soon receive a high-level Pakistani delegation in Tehran," adding, "Following the Islamabad talks, we will conduct in-depth discussions during this visit on what Pakistan discussed with the United States and the detailed views of both sides."
Both the United States and Iran are said to recognize the need for additional talks. Accordingly, there is speculation that face-to-face negotiations could resume as early as on the 16th.
However, Spokesperson Baghaei said the date for a second meeting with the United States has not yet been set and that an extension of the truce period is not confirmed. He also reaffirmed Iran's principles on the nuclear issue, the core sticking point in the end-of-war talks. He said, "The right to peaceful nuclear use is not something that can be granted or deprived depending on external pressure or wartime circumstances," emphasizing that it is "a legal benefit Iran is entitled to as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)."
That said, he expressed willingness to discuss the types and levels of uranium enrichment with the United States.
Regarding remarks that President Trump wants a "grand bargain" to bring economic prosperity in return for Iran's abandonment of nuclear ambitions, he expressed rejection. He said, "Iran's economy will be revitalized by its own strength," criticizing, "It is absurd for those who, until just a few days ago, threatened to return Iran to the Stone Age and destroyed critical infrastructure to now talk about economic prosperity."
JD Vance, the vice president leading the U.S. negotiating team, said on the 14th, "President Trump is saying that if Iran pledges to forgo possessing nuclear weapons, he will make Iran prosper," adding that Washington seeks a "comprehensive agreement," not a "small deal," with Tehran.
Spokesperson Baghaei added that Iran is maintaining military surveillance and readiness in case the United States and Israel use the negotiations as a "cover" for a surprise attack. He said, "We are prepared to confront any move or adventurism by the United States and the Zionist regime (Israel)."
Meanwhile, Iran's military issued its first warning that it could block the Red Sea if the United States continues its counter-blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. It is seen as a strategy to increase leverage ahead of talks with the United States.