"Iran to Send Negotiating Delegation" Second US-Iran Talks on the 22nd Come Into View

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\r\n[The Financial News] As the US and Iran continue their last-minute tug-of-war, the possibility has emerged that Iran may send a delegation to the second ceasefire talks in Pakistan.
\r\nThe Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 20th local time, citing sources, that Iran had conveyed to mediators its intention to send a negotiating delegation. However, the Iranian government is still officially maintaining that "nothing has been decided," adding to the confusion.
Esmail Baghaei, spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, said at a regular briefing that "no plan or decision has been made for the next round of talks" and pushed back against US deadline pressure, adding that "deadlines and ultimatums mean nothing when it comes to defending national interests." The remarks suggest a dual message: leaving the door open to participation in talks while maintaining a hard-line stance internally.
Meanwhile, the schedule for the talks appears to be taking shape. CNN reported, citing sources, that the second round of talks between the two sides is set to take place at 10 a.m. on the 22nd in Islamabad, Pakistan. On the US side, Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead the delegation and depart on the 21st, while on the Iranian side, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is expected to head the negotiating team.
After both sides accepted a two-week ceasefire proposal put forward by Pakistan on the 7th, they have been discussing a path to ending the war, setting the 21st, US Eastern time, as the deadline for negotiations. However, President Donald Trump said the ceasefire deadline would be extended by one day to the evening of the 22nd.
According to a White House official, Trump sees little chance of further extending the ceasefire, and the deadline is reportedly putting strong pressure on negotiators.
Meanwhile, the State Department is set to host a second ambassador-level meeting between Israel and Lebanon on the 23rd, while also working to manage other conflicts in the Middle East.
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km@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-min Reporter