Daijiworld Media Network - Islamabad
Islamabad, Apr 12: JD Vance on Sunday said that the US negotiating team was leaving Pakistan after failing to reach an agreement with Iran following 21 hours of intense discussions.
Vance cited major gaps in the talks, stating that Iran had refused to accept key American conditions, including a commitment to not develop nuclear weapons. “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 of America,” he said, adding that Washington had clearly outlined its red lines.
The US Vice President also revealed that he had spoken multiple times with Donald Trump during the course of the negotiations.
The high-stakes talks, held in Islamabad, marked the first direct engagement between the US and Iran in over a decade and the highest-level contact since the Iranian Revolution. The outcome is seen as crucial for the future of the fragile ceasefire and the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 20 per cent of global energy supplies pass.
While the US side indicated a lack of progress, Iran signalled that dialogue would continue. In a post on X, Tehran said technical teams from both countries would exchange documents, adding that negotiations would proceed despite unresolved differences, though no timeline was specified.
According to sources, Vance, along with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, held meetings with Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. The discussions reportedly saw fluctuating tensions, with moments of sharp disagreement.
The Iranian delegation, which arrived dressed in black mourning attire for those killed in the ongoing conflict, also raised concerns over civilian casualties, including students reportedly killed in a US strike. The Pentagon has said the incident remains under investigation.
Security in Islamabad was tightened significantly during the talks, with thousands of paramilitary and army personnel deployed across the city.
Pakistan’s role as mediator marks a notable diplomatic shift for the country, which had faced isolation in recent times.
Meanwhile, the situation around the Strait of Hormuz remains tense. The US military said it was preparing conditions to clear the crucial shipping route, while Iran denied any American naval movement through the waterway.
Tehran has put forward demands including control over the strait, release of frozen assets, war reparations, and a broader regional ceasefire. The US, however, has maintained that its minimum objectives include ensuring free navigation through the strait and curbing Iran’s nuclear programme.
The conflict, which escalated after strikes involving US ally Israel, continues to fuel instability in the region, with ongoing hostilities involving Iran-backed groups.