Peace Talks Between U.S. and Iran End Without Agreement After 21-Hour Negotiations

Vice President JD Vance announced on Saturday that the peace discussions between the United States and Iran held in Islamabad, Pakistan, have ended without reaching an agreement after an extensive 21-hour negotiation session.

"The unfortunate news is that no agreement has been achieved, and I believe this is worse news for Iran than it is for the United States," Vance stated at the conclusion of the talks.

Vance was firm in emphasizing that Iran had chosen to reject the conditions laid out by Washington: "We have made it abundantly clear what our red lines are, what we are willing to compromise on, and what we are not. They have decided not to accept our terms."

Key Issues in the Negotiations

The major sticking point revolved around Iran's nuclear program.

Vance demanded a strong and lasting assurance that Iran would not pursue nuclear weapons: "The simple question is: Do we see a fundamental commitment from the Iranians not to develop a nuclear weapon, not just now, not just in a couple of years, but in the long term? We have yet to see that commitment. We hope we will."

Delegation Leaders and Mediation Efforts

The American team was led by Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law.

On the Iranian side, the delegation was led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who arrived in Islamabad with declared skepticism: "We have good intentions but do not trust. Our experience negotiating with Americans has always ended in failures and broken promises."

Pakistan served as a neutral mediator, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and General Asim Munir playing pivotal roles.

Vance expressed his gratitude to both for being "incredible hosts" and acknowledged that any negotiation failures were not due to the Pakistani side.

Trump's Perspective and Military Movements

From the White House, President Trump had already anticipated the outcome with a defiant stance: "We win no matter what happens," he told reporters, suggesting that the U.S. had already secured a decisive military victory.

Trump also simplified the American nuclear stance: "No nuclear weapon. That's 99% of the issue."

In parallel with the negotiations, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) dispatched the destroyers USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and USS Michael Murphy to begin mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit route, after mines were allegedly laid by Iran.

At least 16 vessels passed through the Strait on Saturday, marking one of the busiest days since the ceasefire agreed on Tuesday.

Regional Tensions and Global Reactions

Another source of tension during the discussions was the continuation of Israeli strikes in Lebanon, which were not included in the ceasefire.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian cited these attacks as a significant impediment, accusing Israel of targeting civilian sites, including a daycare center.

Meanwhile, Trump warned China it would face "a big problem" if it provided air defense systems to Iran, responding to reports of potential deliveries in the coming weeks.

The conflict's toll thus far includes nearly 3,400 deaths in Iran—over 1,600 of whom were civilians, according to the human rights group HRANA—more than 2,000 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel, and 13 U.S. military personnel killed in combat.

The Islamabad talks marked the highest level of direct engagement between the U.S. and Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and were part of the ceasefire agreed on April 7, which concluded 38 days of Operation Epic Fury, the joint military offensive launched by the U.S. and Israel on February 28, 2026, against Iran.