Daijiworld Media Network - Islamabad
Islamabad, Apr 12: Talks between the United States and Iran ended without a breakthrough after nearly 21 hours of intense negotiations, with Tehran blaming Washington’s “unreasonable demands” for the deadlock.
Iranian state media, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, said the negotiations collapsed despite multiple initiatives from the Iranian delegation. “The Iranian delegation negotiated continuously and intensively for 21 hours to protect national interests, but unreasonable demands of the American side prevented progress,” it said, adding that the US must refrain from “excessive demands and unlawful requests.”
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei accused Washington of repeated breaches of trust and asserted that Tehran would not forget past “malicious acts.” He emphasised that Iran would deploy all available tools, including diplomacy, to safeguard its national interests and sovereignty.
The remarks came shortly after US Vice President JD Vance, who led the American delegation, confirmed that both sides failed to reach an agreement. Addressing reporters, he said, “We have been at it now for 21 hours… The good news is we had substantive discussions, but the bad news is we have not reached an agreement.”
Vance noted that while Washington had clearly outlined its “red lines,” Iran chose not to accept the proposed terms. Though he did not elaborate on key sticking points, he indicated that nuclear concerns were central, stressing the US demand for guarantees that Iran would not develop nuclear weapons.
The US delegation included Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Donald Trump. The Iranian side was led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The delegations had arrived in Islamabad days after announcing a temporary two-week ceasefire. Ahead of the talks, Iran had proposed a 10-point plan, which included demands such as the withdrawal of US forces from West Asia, easing restrictions on Iranian assets, control over the Strait of Hormuz, and a ceasefire by Israel in Lebanon.