Iran president: No direct negotiations while US blockade remains in effect

Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian said there won't be any direct negotiations while the United States blockade on its ports remains in effect, Iranian media reported, according to the Associated Press.

Pezeshkian reportedly told Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by phone on Saturday night that the U.S. “should first remove operational obstacles, including the blockade,” so allow additional direct negotiations can take place.

According to the AP,  Sharif said the conversation was a “warm and constructive discussion.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in Islamabad on Saturday and met with the Pakistani military and government officials.

President Donald Trump canceled a planned trip for his envoys to travel to Islamabad on Saturday.