Axios: Iran delays talks under pressure from IRGC

The White House is preparing for a critical round of talks with Iran in Islamabad, as efforts intensify to secure a deal before a fragile ceasefire expires.

Officials said Washington spent much of Monday (April 20) awaiting confirmation from Tehran that it would dispatch its negotiating team, Axios reports.

The delay appeared to stem from internal divisions within Iran, with sources indicating that pressure from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had pushed negotiators to adopt a firmer stance — insisting that no discussions take place without an end to the U.S. blockade.

Diplomatic efforts by mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Türkiye helped break the impasse. According to sources familiar with the matter, Iran’s delegation ultimately received approval from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei late on Monday (April 20) to proceed with the talks.

Attention has now shifted to the U.S. delegation. Vice President JD Vance is expected to depart for Islamabad by April 21, although one source suggested he could leave as early as late Monday  night (April 20). He is set to be joined by senior envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

The timing of the talks is critical. A temporary ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is due to expire imminently, raising the stakes for both sides. Donald Trump has warned that failure to reach an agreement could trigger a renewed military campaign targeting Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and power facilities.

Despite the tight timeline, a comprehensive deal remains uncertain. However, officials suggested that Washington could consider extending the deadline if tangible progress is made. Trump has already signalled some flexibility, indicating on April 20 that the ceasefire deadline, initially set to expire on April 21, could run until Wednesday evening (April 22).

With negotiators now en route and diplomatic channels active, the coming hours are likely to be decisive in determining whether the talks in Islamabad can avert further escalation.

By Aghakazim Guliyev