High-stakes, Pakistan-mediated talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad concluded without a deal after roughly 21–24 hours of intensive negotiations. U.S. Vice President JD Vance left for Washington acknowledging substantive discussions but saying the two sides failed to bridge core differences. “We’ve had a number of substantive discussions with the Iranians…we have not reached an agreement,” he told reporters, adding that the outcome was worse for Iran than for the United States.
Iran’s state media reported its delegation departed Islamabad after talks collapsed over what Tehran described as a “gap between our opinions over two or three important issues.” Iranian officials accused the U.S. of making “excessive demands,” characterized the negotiations as conducted amid “mistrust and suspicion,” and warned a single round of talks was unlikely to produce a comprehensive settlement. Iran also stressed that diplomacy was not over.
Pakistan played a central mediation role. Meetings began with separate sessions between each delegation and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, proceeded through Pakistani intermediaries, and later included direct U.S.–Iran exchanges. Pakistani officials urged both parties to uphold the ceasefire and keep diplomatic channels open; Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed hope the round could create momentum for further talks.
Vance said he stayed in close contact with President Donald Trump during the negotiations, reporting multiple calls over the 21-hour period. A reporter traveling with Vance relayed U.S. accounts that Iran would not agree to back down on developing a nuclear weapon.
The talks coincided with disputed naval activity in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. military said it had “set the conditions” to clear the strait and reported two Navy destroyers transited the waterway ahead of mine-clearing operations. Iran’s state media denied the U.S. transit and said Iranian forces forced a U.S. ship to turn back. Shipping data indicated three fully laden supertankers passed through the Strait on Saturday, apparently the first vessels to exit the Gulf since the ceasefire—significant because the strait handles roughly 20% of global oil and LNG traffic.
Analysts warned the Iran conflict has diverted U.S. military resources and attention from the Asia‑Pacific, complicating preparations for an upcoming summit between President Trump and China’s leader and raising concerns about Washington’s strategic focus in the region.
In short, Pakistan’s mediation produced substantive engagement but not an agreement. The ceasefire remains fragile, naval tensions persist, and both sides left Islamabad with diplomatic channels intact but core differences unresolved.
