US leaves Iran peace talks without a deal
High-stakes negotiations between the United States and Iran have ended without an agreement, raising concerns over the future of a fragile two-week ceasefire.
US Vice President JD Vance confirmed that the American delegation was returning from Islamabad after more than 20 hours of intensive discussions failed to produce a deal.
Vance said Washington’s core demands—particularly guarantees that Iran would not pursue nuclear weapons or related capabilities—were not accepted by Tehran. He warned that the lack of progress could have serious consequences, adding that the United States had clearly outlined its “red lines” during the talks.
Iranian officials, however, blamed what they described as excessive US demands for the deadlock, while signalling that dialogue may continue at a technical level. The negotiations, mediated by Pakistan, marked the first direct high-level engagement between the two countries in over a decade, underscoring both the urgency and difficulty of reaching a resolution.
The talks involved senior figures on both sides, including US envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner, while Iran was represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.
A central issue remains control and access to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil shipments. Iran has demanded control over the route, along with war reparations and the release of frozen assets, while the US insists on unrestricted navigation and curbs on Iran’s nuclear programme.
The negotiations took place amid tight security in Islamabad. Analysts say deep mistrust, conflicting demands and ongoing military operations—including Israeli actions against Iran-backed groups—continue to hinder progress.
With no immediate agreement, the risk of renewed escalation looms, though both sides have left the door open for further diplomatic engagement.
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