JUST IN: Ceasefire Talks Collapse As Iran Rejects US Meeting Proposal

Regional efforts to broker a ceasefire between the United States and Iran have stalled, with talks effectively hitting a dead end. Mediation led by Pakistan and other regional players has broken down after Iran signaled it will not participate in upcoming negotiations in Islamabad. Officials familiar with the discussions say Tehran has rejected the proposed meeting with U.S. representatives, calling Washington’s demands unacceptable. The refusal has halted the current diplomatic push, forcing mediators to scramble for alternatives. Countries including Turkey and Egypt are now exploring new locations such as Qatar and Istanbul in hopes of reviving negotiations, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal on Friday. At the center of the impasse are sharply different expectations for w