Bagher Ghalibaf says lack of trust in US stalled progress in Islamabad talks

ISLAMABAD: Iranian Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that despite Iran entering negotiations in good faith, a lack of trust in the United States prevented progress during the recent talks in Islamabad.

In a statement issued after the negotiations, Ghalibaf said Iran had made it clear beforehand that while it was willing to engage constructively, past experiences, including two wars, had created deep mistrust toward the opposing side.

He noted that members of the Iranian delegation presented forward-looking proposals during the talks. Still, the US side ultimately failed to build the confidence required for a breakthrough in this round.

“America has understood our logic and principles, and now it must decide whether it can earn our trust,” he said, emphasizing that trust remains the key obstacle in moving forward.

Ghalibaf stressed that diplomacy remains an important tool alongside other means to safeguard Iran’s national interests, adding that Tehran would continue efforts to protect the gains achieved during what he described as 40 days of national defense.

He also expressed gratitude to Pakistan for facilitating the negotiations, calling it a “friendly and brotherly country,” and extended his regards to the Pakistani people for their support.

The statement comes after marathon talks between Iran and the United States in Islamabad ended without a final agreement, with both sides acknowledging progress on some issues but remaining divided on key points.

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.