Iran confirms progress but key differences block US deal in Islamabad talks

ISLAMABAD: Esmail Baqai has confirmed that Iran and the United States reached an understanding on several points during the Islamabad talks, but differences on a few key issues prevented a final agreement.

In an official statement, Baqai said the negotiations, which lasted nearly 24 to 25 hours, were the longest round of talks between the two sides in the past year.

He explained that discussions began with indirect engagement and exchange of messages, with Pakistan acting as a mediator, and continued without interruption throughout the day and night.

According to the spokesperson, multiple issues were discussed during the talks, including Iran’s proposed 10-point plan as well as concerns raised by the US side.

Baqai noted that the negotiations were held after 40 days of conflict in an atmosphere marked by mistrust and suspicion, making it unrealistic to expect a comprehensive agreement in a single session.

He further revealed that complex and sensitive topics, including the Strait of Hormuz, were also part of the discussions, adding to the difficulty of reaching consensus.

“While progress was made on several fronts, differences on two to three key points ultimately prevented a final agreement,” he said.

The statement comes after JD Vance also acknowledged that despite lengthy negotiations in Islamabad, both sides failed to reach a deal, though groundwork had been laid for future talks.

The Islamabad negotiations were held as part of Pakistan’s mediation efforts following a temporary ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, with both sides expected to continue diplomatic engagement in the coming weeks.