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How talks broke down in Islamabad, with both sides blaming each other
The world's eyes were on Islamabad for nearly 21 hours as marathon ceasefire talks took place between the https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/us">United States and https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/iran">Iran.
These were the highest-level talks between Washington and Tehran in 50 years.
They involved Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, alongside Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
But the American vice president emerged from the talks on Sunday morning with the announcement that he would return to the US with no agreement reached.
Vance said the talks stalling was “bad news for Iran much more than it’s bad news for the United States.”
He added: “We leave here with a very simple proposal … our final and best offer.
We’ll see if the Iranians accept it."
He noted that the team had been in constant contact with President Donald Trump throughout the more than 20 hours of negotiations.
Trump himself had earlier struck a nonchalant tone, https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/11/us/politics/trump-ufc-iran-war.html">telling reporters it “makes no difference to me” whether a deal is reached with Iran, as he prepared to travel to Miami to attend a UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) event.
The president was https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/11/us/politics/trump-ufc-iran-war.html">reportedly watching the fight as Vance took to the podium in Islamabad.
Disagreements in the negotiations centred on Iran’s claim to control the Strait of Hormuz and its refusal to give up its stockpile of enriched uranium.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/game-how-iran-can-get-its-toll-strait-hormuz">
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These issues emerged as the major points of contention in efforts to reach a deal.
Vance said Washington is seeking an “affirmative commitment” from Iran that it will not pursue a nuclear weapon or the means to rapidly develop one, describing it as the central goal of the negotiations.
“Again, their nuclear programme, such as it is, the enrichment facilities that they had before, they’ve been destroyed.
"But the simple question is, do we see a fundamental commitment of will for the Iranians not to develop a nuclear weapon, not just now, not just two years from now, but for the long term?
We haven’t seen that yet.
We hope that we will," Vance told reporters.
'Diplomacy never ends'
Meanwhile Iran believes the “ball is in America’s court,” Tasnim news agency https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/tasnim-iran-no-hurry-resume-negotiations-ball-americas-court?topic=War%2520on%2520Iran&nid=436636&fid=553997">reported, citing an informed source.
The report said Tehran had presented “reasonable initiatives” during the talks.
It said that there will be no change in the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran is controlling, unless Washington agrees to what Tehran considers a “reasonable” deal.
No date or venue has been set for a possible next round of talks.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on X that "we have the necessary good faith and will, but due to the experiences of the two previous wars, we have no trust in the opposing side".
He added: "The opposing side ultimately failed to gain the trust of the Iranian delegation in this round of negotiations".
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/iran-says-diplomacy-never-ends-consultations-continue?topic=War%2520on%2520Iran&nid=436636&fid=553997">said it was unrealistic to have expected a deal with the US in just a single round of negotiations.
He noted the talks took place after weeks of conflict and amid deep mistrust.
Baghaei said both sides had reached an understanding on some issues but remained divided on “two to three important” matters.
He added that progress depends on the “seriousness and good faith” of the US and its recognition of Iran’s “legitimate rights and interests.”
Baghaei said diplomacy "never ends" and remains a key tool to “secure, protect and preserve national interests,” adding that consultations with Pakistan and other friendly and neighbouring countries will continue.
Allies urge more negotiations
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar urged the US and Iran to maintain their commitment to the ceasefire and continue negotiations in a “positive spirit.”
He said it is imperative that both sides work toward “durable peace and prosperity” in the region.
Dar added that Pakistan will continue to facilitate dialogue between the two sides.
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Meanwhile, key US allies expressed disappointment in the talks stalling.
Australia’s foreign minister, Penny Wong, urged the US and Iran to uphold the ceasefire and return to negotiations..
And British Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: "It’s obviously disappointing that we haven’t yet seen a breakthrough in negotiations and an end to this war in Iran that is a sustainable one."
He added: "As ever in diplomacy, you’re failing until you succeed.
So while these talks may not have ended in success, doesn’t mean there isn’t merit in continuing to try."