Talks between the United States and Iran held in Islamabad, Pakistan, ended without any breakthrough after nearly 21 hours of negotiations, with Iran blaming the collapse on what it termed “unreasonable demands” by the US, stating that its delegation made extensive efforts to safeguard national interests but failed to achieve progress due to Washington’s rigid stance, according to Iranian state media IRIB.
Responding to the development, US Vice President JD Vance said Iran did not accept what he described as the “final and best offer,” reiterating that the United States had clearly demanded assurances that Tehran would not develop nuclear weapons, and warned that rejecting these conditions could have serious consequences for Iran’s future.
Vance also revealed that he remained in constant communication with US President Donald Trump during the negotiations, adding that Washington had made its position and limitations clear, while asserting that the failure of talks would ultimately harm Iran more than the United States.
The Islamabad talks marked the first direct high-level engagement between the two countries since the 1979 revolution, and were held amid heightened tensions following recent military escalations, including reported strikes by US and Israeli forces on Iran and subsequent retaliatory attacks by Tehran on Israel and US bases in the Gulf region, leading to significant casualties.
The negotiations were initiated during a two-week ceasefire announced by Trump, but with no agreement reached, concerns have intensified over a possible resurgence of conflict in West Asia, even as Vance thanked the Pakistan government, including its Prime Minister and military leadership, for facilitating the high-stakes diplomatic engagement.