After nearly 21 hours of intense negotiations in Pakistan, talks between the United States and Iran ended in a stalemate, with JD Vance departing for the United States early Sunday without a breakthrough.
The US Vice President, who led Washington’s delegation, told reporters before leaving that despite “a number of substantive agreements,” the two sides failed to reach a final deal. “The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement. That is bad news for Iran, much more than it is for the United States,” he said.
Vance emphasized that the US had clearly outlined its red lines, particularly demanding a firm commitment from Tehran to refrain from pursuing nuclear weapons and related capabilities. However, he stated that Iran “chose not to accept our terms,” preventing progress toward a final agreement.
“We go back to the United States having not come to an agreement,” he added, while noting that Washington had remained “flexible and accommodating” throughout the discussions. He said the US has left behind what it described as its “final and best offer,” awaiting Iran’s response.
The Vice President was seen off by senior Pakistani officials, including Mohsin Naqvi, Ishaq Dar, and Army Chief Asim Munir.
Meanwhile, Iran’s state broadcaster Press TV reported that negotiations collapsed due to what it described as “excessive demands” by the United States. According to the report, key disagreements centered on Iran’s nuclear rights and strategic concerns, including the Strait of Hormuz.
The deadlock marks a significant setback in the first round of renewed diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran, casting uncertainty over the future of negotiations.
