US Vice President JD Vance has departed Pakistan without securing an agreement with Iran, after high-level negotiations ended in a stalemate.
The talks, held in Islamabad and mediated by Pakistani officials, ran for more than 20 hours and were aimed at easing tensions between Washington and Tehran. The discussions had raised hopes of a breakthrough, marking rare direct engagement between the two sides after years of strained relations.
Speaking after the negotiations, Vance said the United States had maintained its position, particularly on Iran’s nuclear programme, but no consensus was reached. Washington has been pushing for firm assurances from Tehran to curb its nuclear ambitions, an issue that remains a major sticking point.
Iranian officials, however, rejected what they described as excessive demands, insisting on safeguarding their strategic and economic interests. Key areas of disagreement reportedly included access to frozen assets, regional security arrangements, and control over critical shipping routes.
The failure to reach a deal casts doubt over ongoing diplomatic efforts and raises concerns about renewed tensions in the region. Analysts warn that without progress, the fragile calm could unravel, with potential implications for global energy supplies, especially given the importance of the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the setback, both sides have indicated that further engagement at lower levels could continue, leaving the door open for future negotiations.
