No deal reached in US-Iran talks despite 21-hour negotiations in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: JD Vance has said that no final agreement could be reached with Iran despite 21 hours of detailed negotiations in Islamabad, as the US delegation returned without a deal.

Speaking to the media after the high-level talks, Vance described the outcome as “bad news for Iran,” stating that Washington had clearly presented its position and conditions, but Tehran did not agree to them.

He said the United States requires clear and verifiable assurances that Iran will neither develop nor pursue nuclear weapons in the future, adding that such commitments have yet to emerge from the negotiations.

Despite the lack of a breakthrough, the US vice president noted that extensive discussions were held on several key issues, laying some groundwork for future dialogue.

Vance also revealed that during the talks, the US delegation remained in constant consultation with Donald Trump, the Pentagon, and national security agencies to ensure a coordinated strategy throughout the process.

He emphasized that while the current round ended without an agreement, the door for future negotiations remains open and further progress is still possible.

The US vice president praised Pakistan’s leadership for its role in facilitating the talks, commending Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir for their efforts in bridging differences between the two sides.

He termed Pakistan’s mediation role as “exceptional,” saying both leaders made serious diplomatic efforts to bring the US and Iran closer and prevent the talks from collapsing at several points.

Following the conclusion of the negotiations, Vance departed for the United States, where he was seen off by senior Pakistani officials, including Ishaq Dar.

The Islamabad talks were held after a Pakistan-brokered temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran, with nuclear issues and regional tensions dominating the agenda.