KABUL: Iran has informed mediating countries that it does not want to enter negotiations with the United States in Islamabad, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
The report said Tehran has also rejected conditions set by Washington for potential talks, effectively halting efforts to launch negotiations in Pakistan.
Political analysts say Pakistan had hoped to gain a stronger diplomatic role in the region by hosting the talks, but Iran’s refusal has undermined those ambitions.
Mediating countries told the newspaper that while talks in Pakistan are currently stalled, Turkey and Egypt are exploring alternative frameworks to facilitate dialogue between Tehran and Washington.
Earlier, the foreign ministers of Turkey and Egypt had traveled to Pakistan in an effort to pave the way for negotiations in Islamabad.
Analysts suggest Iran’s rejection may be linked to perceived U.S. influence over Pakistan and Islamabad’s relatively close ties with Washington.