The host nation Pakistan stated on Tuesday that there is still no confirmation from Iran to attend the last-ditch talks with the United States. This was after U.S. troops boarded an Iranian oil tanker in the middle of the sea, with only one day remaining before the ceasefire.

Donald Trump stated that he wanted to achieve a "great deal" to end the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran. However, he didn't want to extend ceasefire. The U.S. Military was also "ready to go" in the event of a failure to negotiate.

Vice President JDVance, who was to lead the U.S. delegation, has yet to board the flight to Islamabad. The centre of the town has been closed and a hotel that will host the talks has been cleared.

Vance will be attending additional policy meetings on Tuesday at the White House, according to a White House official.

In a recent post, Pakistan's Information Minister, Attaullah, stated that "Formal confirmation from Iranian side regarding delegation to attend Islamabad Peace Talks" is still awaited. "Pakistan, as the mediator, is constantly in touch with Iranians. We are pursuing the path diplomacy and dialog."

TRUMP SAYS MILITARY IS 'RARING TO GO'

When asked about the possibility that the truce could be extended, Trump said to CNBC: "I wouldn't do it." We don't really have that much time."

He added, "I'm expecting to bomb because that is a better mentality to have going in." "But we are ready to go." "I mean, the military are ready to go."

Fatemeh Mohajerani, a spokesperson for the Iranian government, said: "We don't want to be attacked, but if attacks like this occur, we will respond even more strongly than before," reported IRNA, a state news agency.

U.S. BOARDS IRANIAN TANKER

The U.S. Military said that its forces boarded the Tifani tanker, which was under sanctions due to trading with Iran, in a "non-incident" operation.

MarineTraffic data shows that the vessel reported its last position as being near Sri Lanka, in the Indian Ocean on Tuesday morning. The vessel was almost fully loaded with crude oil and had indicated Singapore as its final destination.

U.S. Central Command stated: "As we have already made clear, the U.S. Central Command will continue to pursue global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks as well as interdict vessels that provide material support to Iran - wherever they are operating.

The boarding did not prompt an immediate Iranian reaction, but it was likely to complicate efforts?to persuade Iran to come to the talks.

Iranian officials publicly cited the U.S. blocking of their ships as an excuse not to negotiate. After the boarding incident, Iranian sources told us that Iran was still deciding whether or not to attend.

Trump stated on social media that Iran violated the ceasefire numerous times, but did not provide any further details. He told CNBC the blockade was a success, and that the U.S. is in a good position to get a "great" deal.

WALL STREET STOCKS MOSTLY TURN LOWER

Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, which controls the access to the Gulf for all ships except its own. The strait was reopened last week, but the decision was reversed on Saturday when Trump refused to lift the blockade against Iranian ports.

The strait is now closed, and the world has lost 20 million barrels per day of oil.

Ten days ago, a first round of talks ended without agreement. Tehran also ruled out a subsequent round when the U.S. refused its blockade after seizing an Iranian cargo vessel. Trump has threatened to strike Iran's civil infrastructure if a deal is not reached.

A source in Pakistan involved in the talks said that there was a momentum to resume the talks and Vance would still be expected in Islamabad.

Wall Street stocks fell mainly, and?global equity markets also declined as optimism about peace talks waned. Oil prices rose about 3%.

IRAN NUCLEAR POWER PROGRAMME - A Critical Issue

Trump has said that Iran must not be able to produce a nuclear weapon. He wants an agreement which will prevent future oil price increases and stock market fluctuations. He wants Iran's stockpiles of highly-enriched uranium to be destroyed, which could, if further enhanced, be used as a nuclear weapon.

Tehran is hoping to use its control over the Strait of Hormuz to reach a deal to avoid a war restart and lift sanctions while keeping more of its nuclear program, which, it claims, is for peaceful purposes.

It has been confusing to determine the exact timing of the end of this ceasefire. Trump originally announced that the ceasefire would last for two weeks, starting on the evening Tuesday, April 7, in Washington. But he stated this week that it will run until the evening Wednesday, April 22.

A Pakistani source who was involved in the negotiations also stated that it would expire at 8 pm Eastern Time on Tuesday, which is 3 am Thursday in Iran.

The U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, and the Israeli invasion and bombing campaign in Lebanon have killed thousands. The war has caused an historic shock to energy supplies around the world, as well as fears that the economy may be brought to its knees by the recession.

Pakistan has prepared to host the discussions despite the uncertainty. Officials said that nearly 20,000 security personnel had been deployed in Islamabad.

(source: Reuters)