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Iran rejects talks with U.S. under pressure and aimed at surrender, senior Iranian official says

By Thomson Reuters Apr 21, 2026 | 2:35 PM

DUBAI, April 21 (Reuters) – Iran could attend talks with the ​United States ‌in Pakistan if Washington abandons its policy of pressure and threats, ‌a ​senior ⁠Iranian official told ⁠Reuters on Tuesday, adding that Tehran rejects negotiations aimed at ​surrender.

The official said mediator Pakistan ⁠was continuing ⁠efforts to persuade ​the United States ​to lift its naval blockade ‌and release the Iranian-flagged container ship Touska, which was ⁠boarded and seized by U.S. forces on Sunday, ⁠and ‌its crew.

He accused ⁠Washington of “creating ​new ‌obstacles every day ​instead of ⁠resolving the differences” to end the war.

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Chizu ​Nomiyama)