Iran Says It Has Received Signals of US Intent to Lift Sanctions

A new variable has emerged in the US-Iranian diplomatic standoff. After formally refusing to attend the second round of negotiations, Iran's permanent representative to the United Nations indicated that they had received a "signal" from the US that the naval blockade was ready to be lifted, implying that dialogue could be resumed in Islamabad once the blockade is lifted.

The latest news shows that, according to local time on the 22nd, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Baghaei stated that Iran has not yet decided whether to participate in a new round of negotiations with the United States.

Previous reports from Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency stated that Iran's permanent representative to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani, said, "We have received some signals indicating that they are ready to break the blockade. Once they lift the blockade, I believe the next round of negotiations will be held in Islamabad." He also stated, "If they are willing to sit down and negotiate, to seek a political solution, we are ready. If they insist on going to war, Iran is also prepared." Iravani did not provide further details on the nature or specific timing of the aforementioned "signals".

Following the news, the commodity and foreign exchange markets reacted swiftly — international oil prices fell in the short term, with both Brent Crude and WTI experiencing more than a 1% intraday decline; spot gold prices rose in the short term, increasing more than 1% intraday; the US Dollar Index fell slightly, down by 0.15%.

The aforementioned statements come against a backdrop of a sharp reversal in the situation. On the evening of April 21, Iran officially refused to attend the second round of negotiations scheduled for the 22nd in Islamabad, and Trump immediately announced an extension of the ceasefire and maintenance of the naval blockade against Iran.

The Blockade Becomes the Core Condition for Resuming Negotiations

The issue of the naval blockade has become the key to whether both parties can return to the negotiating table. According to Russia's Xinhua News Agency on the 21st, citing Iran's permanent representative to the UN, Iravani, the US lifting its naval blockade on Iran could become the basis for a second round of negotiations between the two countries.

Iran believes that the blockade currently imposed by the US military on maritime traffic in and out of Iranian ports seriously violates the previously reached ceasefire agreement.

According to the Iranian Students' News Agency, Nadiri, a member of the Iranian Parliament's Presidium, clearly stated that before the issue of the naval blockade is resolved, "we will not hold a second round of negotiations". Iran also announced through Pakistan that to fully protect the rights of the Iranian people, the Iranian delegation will not go to Pakistan on the 22nd.

Meanwhile, the second round of US-Lebanon talks will be held in the US on April 23. According to a report by CNN on April 21, the second round of ambassadorial-level talks between Israel and Lebanon will take place tomorrow, the 23rd, at the US Department of State. The report stated that US Ambassador to Israel, Mike (MK) Hykab, will join the US delegation as a new member for this round of talks. US Secretary of State Rubbio, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michelle Issa, and US Department of State advisor Michael Needham will attend the talks again. Israel's Ambassador to the US Yehiel Leiter and Lebanon's Ambassador to the US Nada Hamade Mouawad will lead their delegations again.

Previously, the three-party talks between the US, Israel, and Lebanon were held at the US Department of State on the 14th. After the talks, Israel and Lebanon officially began a 10-day ceasefire at 5 am Beijing time on the 17th.