Iran has rejected participation in a second spherical of peace talks with america, sharply escalating tensions amid renewed naval confrontations. Iran’s official information company IRNA reported that there are “no plans” for additional negotiations at this stage, blaming Washington for what it described as extreme calls for, shifting positions and “fixed contradictions”. It additionally pointed to what it referred to as an ongoing naval blockade and up to date maritime incidents as key obstacles to diplomacy.In a press release carried by Iranian media, Tehran stated the ambiance surrounding talks “can’t be thought of optimistic”, including that there was “no clear prospect of fruitful negotiations” below present circumstances. IRNA additionally dismissed stories of an imminent second spherical of talks in Islamabad as “not true”, calling them a part of a “media sport” and strain marketing campaign by america.US seizes Iranian ship — Follow live updates Iranian ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam was extra direct, accusing Washington of undermining diplomacy by way of coercive measures. “You can’t preserve violating worldwide regulation, double down in your blockade, threaten Iran with additional battle crimes, insist on unreasonable calls for, and faux to be pursuing diplomacy,” he stated. “So long as the naval blockade stays, faultlines stay.”The diplomatic breakdown comes in opposition to the backdrop of rising maritime tensions within the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial international vitality hall. Iranian state retailers stated the US naval blockade of Iranian ports stays a central sticking level, with Tehran arguing it quantities to collective punishment.Tensions escalated additional after stories {that a} US warship intercepted and broken an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel making an attempt to evade inspection. Washington claimed the ship was already below sanctions, whereas Iran condemned the incident as “armed piracy” and warned of retaliation.State broadcaster IRIB stated Iran at the moment has no plans to attend additional talks, whereas different media retailers, together with Fars and Tasnim, cited officers as saying the “total ambiance” was not conducive to negotiations except restrictions on Iran have been lifted.The standoff has additionally rattled vitality markets, with oil costs rising sharply amid fears of additional disruption within the Strait of Hormuz, which carries a big share of worldwide crude shipments.