Ceasefire negotiations between the United States and Iran, mediated by Pakistan, appear to have reached a deadlock as Washington announced a suspension of power plant strikes until 8 p.m. local time on the 6th. Iran shot down at least two U.S. fighter jets for the first time, but President Donald Trump emphasized that it "has no effect on negotiations."
The Wall Street Journal reported on the 3rd that Iran informed mediators it would not meet U.S. officials at ceasefire talks that had been expected to take place in Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, within days. Iran also said it could not accept U.S. demands for a ceasefire. Pakistan has volunteered to serve as a mediator in the war between the U.S. and Iran. The New York Times had earlier reported U.S. intelligence assessments indicating that Iran's government had no intention of participating in ceasefire talks at this time.
The WSJ reported that Trump signaled to Iran his willingness to accept a ceasefire on the condition that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened. According to the WSJ, Turkey and Egypt, which are mediating alongside Pakistan, are reviewing plans to hold talks in other cities such as Doha, Qatar's capital, or Istanbul to discuss a new ceasefire proposal. Trump claimed on his social media platform Truth Social the previous day that "the president of Iran's new regime just requested a ceasefire from the United States." However, Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry, dismissed it to local media as "a false and baseless announcement."
Meanwhile, Iran shot down an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet over its southwestern airspace and an A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthog attack aircraft near the southern tip of Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on the same day. Two crew members were rescued during the incidents, but one remains missing.
The shootdowns contradict claims by Trump and the U.S. military that Iran's air defenses had been completely neutralized. At the Future Investment Initiative Summit in Miami, Florida, on May 27, Trump repeatedly stressed that Iran's navy, air force, air defense systems, and communications networks had all been destroyed. He also claimed that Iran's leadership, including the supreme leader, had all been eliminated. In a national address on the 1st of this month, Trump asserted that "Iran's missile and drone launch capabilities have been dramatically weakened, and weapons factories and rocket launchers are being shattered, with almost nothing left." He added, "Over the next two to three weeks, we will deliver extremely powerful strikes against Iran," and emphasized, "We will send Iran back to the Stone Age."
In an NBC interview, when asked whether the incident would affect negotiations with Iran, Trump said, "Not at all — we are at war." Trump declined to comment further on the rescue operation for the crew members.
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