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US-Iran Talks End Without Breakthrough
US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad ended without a deal as both sides remained divided over nuclear demands and regional issues.
Shehbaz Sharif and JD Vance shake hands during Islamabad talks. (Photo Credit: @GovtofPakistan)
Talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad ended without an agreement after more than 21 hours of negotiations, highlighting deep divisions over key security and political issues. The discussions marked the highest-level engagement between the two countries since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and took place during a fragile ceasefire in the ongoing regional conflict.
JD Vance, who led the U.S. delegation, said Iran refused to accept Washington’s terms, stressing that the United States is seeking a firm commitment from Tehran not to develop nuclear weapons or pursue the capability to rapidly build them. He described the lack of agreement as more damaging for Iran than for the U.S.
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Iranian officials, however, said no immediate breakthrough had been expected. Esmaeil Baghaei noted that reaching a deal in a single round of talks was unrealistic and emphasized that diplomatic engagement would continue. Meanwhile, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran had proposed constructive ideas but criticized Washington for failing to build trust, adding that it is now up to the U.S. to demonstrate credibility.
Key disagreements included Iran’s nuclear program and control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route. Tehran is also seeking the release of frozen assets, war reparations, and a broader regional ceasefire that would include Lebanon. Analysts note that similar disputes over nuclear issues took years to resolve in the 2015 agreement brokered under Barack Obama, which was later abandoned by Donald Trump.
The talks come amid continued military tensions. Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel’s campaign against Iran and its allies will continue, with ongoing strikes reported in southern Lebanon.
Pakistan, which hosted the negotiations, urged both sides to maintain the ceasefire and continue dialogue. Ishaq Dar expressed hope that sustained engagement could lead to long-term peace.
Despite diplomatic efforts, deep mistrust remains a major obstacle, with public skepticism in Iran reflecting concerns that past negotiations have failed to produce lasting solutions.
Editor’s Note:
The collapse of high-level US-Iran talks underscores how deep mistrust and competing security demands continue to block diplomatic progress, even as regional tensions and global stakes remain high.
