High-stakes negotiations between the United States and Iran ended without a breakthrough in Islamabad after roughly 21–24 hours of intensive talks mediated by Pakistan. U.S. Vice President JD Vance departed for Washington, acknowledging limited progress but saying the two sides had failed to bridge core differences.
“We’ve had a number of substantive discussions with the Iranians. That’s the good news. The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement, and I think that’s bad news for Iran much more than it’s bad news for the United States,” Vance said at a press conference in Islamabad.
Iran’s state media reported its delegation left Pakistan after talks failed to reach a deal, with Iran’s Foreign Ministry saying negotiations collapsed over a “gap between our opinions over two or three important issues.” An Iranian official blamed “excessive demands” by the U.S., while also stressing that “diplomacy never ends.” Iran described the talks as conducted in an atmosphere of “mistrust and suspicion,” and cautioned that a single round was unlikely to yield a comprehensive agreement.
Pakistan played a central mediation role. Officials said talks began with separate meetings between each delegation and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, proceeded via Pakistani intermediaries, and later included direct exchanges between Iran and the U.S. Pakistan urged both sides to continue honoring the ceasefire and sustain diplomatic engagement, with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressing hope that the talks created momentum for further dialogue.
Vance, who said he communicated frequently with President Donald Trump during the negotiations—“perhaps half a dozen times, maybe a dozen over the past 21 hours”—boarded his government plane at 7:08 a.m. local time to return to the United States. A reporter traveling with him reported Iran declined to back down on developing a nuclear weapon, according to U.S. accounts.
Regional developments around the Strait of Hormuz were tied to the talks. The U.S. military said it was “setting the conditions” to clear the strait and reported two Navy destroyers had transited the waterway ahead of mine‑clearing work; Iran’s state media denied U.S. vessels had passed and said Iran forced a U.S. ship to turn back. Shipping data showed three fully laden supertankers passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, appearing to be the first vessels to exit the Gulf since the US‑Iran ceasefire deal. The Strait of Hormuz is a chokepoint for about 20% of global oil and LNG shipments.
Analysts noted the Iran war has diverted U.S. military resources and attention from the Asia‑Pacific, affecting preparations for an upcoming summit between President Trump and China’s leader and raising concerns about strategic focus in the region.
Summary of developments reported during the Islamabad talks:
– Iran delegation left Islamabad after talks failed to reach agreement (Iran state TV).
– Iran blamed “excessive demands” by the U.S.; maintained diplomacy continues.
– Vance said talks lasted over 21 hours and ended without agreement.
– Talks were held indirectly via Pakistan and later directly between the sides.
– Pakistan called on both parties to uphold the ceasefire and continue talks.
– Vance reported frequent communications with President Trump during negotiations.
– Dispute over U.S. naval transits in the Strait of Hormuz: U.S. claimed destroyers transited; Iran denied it.
– Three supertankers were reported to have exited via the Strait of Hormuz after the ceasefire.
– Iran characterized the talks as marked by mistrust and said a single round could not realistically produce a comprehensive breakthrough.
Pakistan’s mediation concluded without a deal, leaving the ceasefire fragile and diplomatic channels open but unresolved.
