Full Breakdown
US-Iran Indirect Talks in Islamabad: Pompeo Says He’s “Not Optimistic”
4/25/2026, 9:02:31 PM
Second Round of Pakistani-Mediated Ceasefire Talks
Mike Pompeo said on Friday he is “not optimistic” about a U.S.–Iran agreement when they meet for a second round of indirect talks in Islamabad on Saturday. The United States will send envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner; Iran’s delegation is led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Pakistan has barred a face-to-face meeting, and a temporary cease-fire—extended by President Donald Trump on Tuesday—remains fragile.
Background and Recent Developments
The talks follow an eight-week conflict that began in 2024. The first round of negotiations, the in-person meeting since 1979, collapsed two weeks ago over Iran’s nuclear program. President Trump extended the truce on Tuesday to let Tehran present a “unified proposal.” Vice President Vance, who led the initial round, is on standby. Iran’s delegation arrived in Pakistan on Friday.
Official U.S. Position
The United States has dispatched Witkoff and Kushner to lead the second round, with Vice President Vance ready to step in if needed. Trump’s truce extension signals a willingness to give Iran time for a unified proposal. Pompeo stressed that the U.S. “still has the leverage needed to get the outcomes” Trump seeks, and argued that a stalemate—where both sides possess comparable tools—does not exist.
Criticism of Iranian Negotiators
Pompeo warned that “the world’s experience with Iranian negotiators is that they’re going to play for time, stall, try and drag this out.” He noted the lack of a clear spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces and doubted Tehran would be “more reasonable than the previous negotiators.” He warned of a return to “blockade and trying to inflict more costs on the Iranians before too terribly long.”
Conflicting Information and Gaps
Sources note uncertainty about who can speak for Iran’s armed forces, given Mojtaba Khamenei’s absence and lack of public appearances. Pakistan’s decision to bar a face-to-face meeting leaves the composition of eventual agreement unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “not optimistic” — Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of State
- “I think the world’s experience with Iranian negotiators is that they’re going to play for time, stall, try and drag this out,” — Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of State
- “I doubt President Trump will let that continue too much longer.” — Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of State
- “A stalemate is when both sides have a lot of cards, a lot of different tools that they can play to bring to bear, and that’s just simply not the case here,” — Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of State
Implications
The outcome will affect U.S. interests, Israeli security, and Gulf-state stability. A failure could trigger renewed U.S. economic pressure, while a successful deal might cement a cease-fire and reshape diplomatic engagement with Tehran.
Outlook
Saturday’s session will test whether Iran can present a unified proposal and whether the United States can leverage diplomatic and economic tools for an agreement. If talks stall, officials anticipate a return to heightened sanctions and military posturing.
