Direct talks between the United States and Iran, concluded Sunday morning in Islamabad, did not result in an agreement to end the war that began on February 28.
After 21 hours of intense negotiations, mediated by Pakistan, the two delegations parted ways without reaching an understanding, leaving the fragile two-week ceasefire in limbo.
US Vice President JD Vance accused Iran of not accepting American conditions, particularly on the nuclear program, while Tehran pointed to the “excessive” US demands.
As the New York Times writes, the meeting – the highest level since the Islamic Revolution of 1979 – nonetheless broke a diplomatic taboo, though it did not overcome deep divergences on the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear program, frozen assets, and regional conflicts.
Pakistan has urged both parties to respect the truce, while the fate of hostilities remains uncertain.
THE LOCATION AND DURATION OF THE NEGOTIATIONS
The talks took place in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, at the Serena Hotel. The city was secured with thousands of paramilitary forces and soldiers to ensure the protection of the delegations.
Negotiations began on Saturday and lasted for 21 consecutive hours, concluding at dawn on Sunday.
As reported by Reuters, the atmosphere was fluctuating, with moments of tension and more relaxed phases, and the sessions extended throughout the night.
The meeting was mediated by Pakistan, which played a central role in facilitating the provisional ceasefire announced the previous Tuesday.
THE DELEGATIONS PRESENT
The US delegation was led by Vice President JD Vance, who maintained frequent contact with President Trump, reportedly speaking to him up to a dozen times, according to Reuters and Associated Press.
Alongside him were Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, as well as Andrew Baker, Deputy National Security Advisor, and Michael Vance, Special Advisor for Asian Affairs, as reported by Time.
Vance emphasized that he conducted the talks “in good faith” and constantly consulted Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Centcom Admiral Brad Cooper.
The Iranian delegation, composed of about 70 officials including diplomats, military personnel, and economic experts, was led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and included Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei.
As reported by the New York Times, Qalibaf – former commander of the Revolutionary Guards – shook hands with Vance in a gesture marking a historic moment.
THE UNITED STATES’ RED LINES
The American red lines, reiterated by Vance at a press conference, mainly revolved around Iran’s nuclear program.
“We need a clear and affirmative commitment that Iran will not seek a nuclear weapon and will not acquire the means to obtain one quickly,” Vance stated, calling it “President Trump’s central objective” as indicated by NPR.
The United States also demanded the immediate and complete reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international maritime traffic and strong limitations on Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities, contained in their 15-point proposal.
Trump had downplayed the importance of an agreement, stating that the United States had already won the war and that Gulf clearance operations were already underway with the deployment of destroyers, as reported by Time.
IRAN’S RED LINES
Iran presented a 10-point proposal, insisting on conditions deemed non-negotiable.
As reported by the New York Times and Reuters, Tehran demanded maintaining control or at least the right to impose tolls on the Strait of Hormuz, the release of frozen assets abroad worth about 27 billion dollars, payment of war reparations for damages suffered, and the complete cessation of hostilities in the region, including an end to Israeli attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Iran also reaffirmed the right to a peaceful nuclear program and refused to relinquish its strategic leverage over the Strait. Spokesperson Baqaei emphasized that Tehran would not accept unilateral concessions.
REASONS FOR THE FAILED AGREEMENT
The main obstacles were three, according to two Iranian officials cited by the New York Times: the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the fate of about 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, and the failure to release frozen assets.
The United States rejected both reparations and asset unblocking; Iran refused to hand over or sell its uranium stockpile.
According to the NYT, “when two serious teams sit at the table, it must be a win-win agreement,” but the positions remained far apart.
Iran spoke of “excessive” American demands and an atmosphere “full of distrust and suspicion,” as reported by Tasnim News Agency cited by CNN.
The United States accused Tehran of not providing an “affirmative commitment” on the nuclear issue. As noted by Reuters, both parties reached an understanding on some minor points, but divergences on the nuclear issue, the Strait, and Lebanon prevented an overall agreement.
REACTIONS AND THE ROLE OF PAKISTAN
Vance described the failed agreement as “bad news for Iran much more than for the United States” and left on the table a “final and best offer,” as emphasized by Reuters and Associated Press.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged both parties to maintain the ceasefire and announced that Islamabad will facilitate new dialogues.
As reported by the New York Times, Iran reiterated that “diplomacy never ends,” while stating through its state agencies that it is in no rush and does not foresee an immediate new round.
Pakistan played a crucial mediation role, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir positively cited by both delegations.
