Iran's ambassador to the UN said talks with the US in Pakistan would resume if Washington ended its blockade of Tehran's ports.

"As soon as the US ends its maritime blockade, I think the next round of talks will be held in Islamabad," Iran's ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, told reporters at the organization's headquarters in New York on April 21.

Previously, the US and Iran had planned to hold talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, on April 22. However, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported today that the Iranian delegation had informed the US side through Pakistani intermediaries that they would not be going to Islamabad for several reasons, including the US's continued hostile actions in blockading Iranian seaports.

Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, speaks at a Security Council meeting in New York on April 7. Photo: AFP

When asked about the possibility of military escalation after the ceasefire ends, Ambassador Iravani said Iran is prepared for both scenarios. "If they want to continue fighting, Iran is ready. However, we should create opportunities for a diplomatic solution. We still hope so," he added.

In a letter to the Security Council and the UN Secretary-General, Iravani called on the UN to condemn the US seizure of the Iranian cargo ship Touska and demanded that Washington release the vessel.

"Such behavior is inherently pirate-like and a dangerous escalation, seriously threatening the security and safety of vital shipping lanes. Furthermore, this illegal act constitutes a clear and serious violation of the April 8 ceasefire agreement and is considered aggressive," the Iranian ambassador said.

The US Navy deployed troops to take control of the cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman last weekend. President Donald Trump said the Iranian-flagged vessel is subject to US sanctions.

President Trump announced on April 21st that he was extending the ceasefire with Iran until Tehran proposes a permanent end to the conflict. However, he stated that the U.S. would continue its blockade of Iranian ports.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later confirmed that the U.S. Navy would maintain the blockade. "In just a few days, the oil storage facilities on Kharg Island will be full, and Iran's already fragile oil wells will have to shut down. This tightening of Iran's maritime trade directly impacts its main source of revenue," Bessent said.

Khag Island is considered a vital "oil lifeline" and a crucial link in Iran's supply chain. Facilities on Kharg have a processing capacity of 7 million barrels of oil per day, and approximately 90% of Iran's crude oil exports pass through the island. Secretary Bessent argued that the U.S. blockade prevents the export of oil from the island and forces Iran to cease production.

Mr. Bessent described this as "Operation Economic Fury," stating that the U.S. Treasury Department would continue to exert maximum pressure to systematically undermine Iran's oil revenues. He also warned that any individuals or vessels involved in trading or transporting Iranian oil risk U.S. sanctions.

Mahdi Mohammadi, an assistant to Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said President Trump's announcement of extending the ceasefire was "a delaying tactic for a surprise attack" and that now was the time for Iran to take the initiative.

Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Mr. Trump, affirming that Islamabad would continue to push for a deal to end the conflict in the Middle East. "I sincerely hope that both sides will continue to implement the ceasefire, reach a comprehensive peace agreement in the second round of talks in Islamabad, and permanently end the conflict," the Pakistani leader said.