The US and Iran failed to reach a peace agreement after 21 hours of intense negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan. The talks, aimed at resolving a 20-year dispute over Iran's nuclear programme and other issues, ended without a deal, with both sides accusing each other of inflexibility.
Iran sent two planeloads of negotiators, including members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), while the US dispatched Vice-President JD Vance and nearly 300 officials. Vance spoke with President Donald Trump at least a dozen times during the talks, and once with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a conversation that Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed hardened the US position.
Former US officials criticised the approach. Robert Malley, a veteran of nuclear talks with Iran, said: 'Twenty-one hours was 20 hours too many if the goal was to reiterate a demand Iran had already rejected. It was many hours too few if the goal was to negotiate.' Aaron David Miller noted that expecting Iran to give up enrichment after only 21 hours misread the moment and the Iranian delegation.
Iranian officials rejected the US stance as arrogant. Former Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said: 'No negotiations at least with Iran will succeed based on our/your terms. The US must learn: you cannot dictate terms to Iran.'
Pakistan, the host and mediator, urged both sides to keep diplomacy alive. Meanwhile, Israel's Energy Minister Eli Cohen claimed the lack of an agreement opens the door for military action against Iran. Vance implied the talks could continue, stating: 'We leave here with a very simple proposal, a method of understanding that is our best and final offer. We'll see if the Iranians accept it.'
The US has threatened a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to prevent Iranian oil exports, a move that could push up global oil prices. Iran had sought a memorandum of understanding before finalising a peace agreement, but the talks failed to produce any breakthrough.
