Talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad have ended without a deal, US Vice-President JD Vance confirmed on Sunday. The negotiations, which lasted 21 hours, marked the highest-level direct engagement between Washington and Tehran in decades but failed to produce an agreement.
Vance said the US delegation presented a final offer, but Iran would not accept the terms. He claimed the US side was 'quite flexible, quite accommodating', while Iranian state broadcaster IRIB blamed 'unreasonable demands' by the US for scuppering progress. The Iranian foreign ministry had earlier warned against 'excessive demands' and 'unlawful requests'.
Key points of disagreement included the strategic Strait of Hormuz, nuclear development, war reparations, and sanctions. The US military said it had begun setting conditions for clearing mines in the strait, a claim denied by Iran's joint military command. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel's commitment to fight Iran, though Israel was not present at the talks.
US President Donald Trump said it made 'no difference' to him whether a deal was reached, stating 'we win' either way. The latest Israeli attacks on Lebanon have pushed the death toll above 2,000, with over 6,300 wounded, according to the health ministry. Iran had demanded a ceasefire in Lebanon, reparations, and the unblocking of frozen assets as part of any deal.
