Vance departs Pakistan, says no deal reached with Iran 21 hour talks
VP Vance says any shortcomings in talks not due to Pakistan, which had “done an amazing job” in facilitating dialogue
The United States has reiterated its firm position in ongoing negotiations with Iran, emphasizing that its expectations and limits have been clearly communicated. Speaking at a press conference, US Vice President JD Vance stated that Washington had outlined its “red lines” and areas where compromise was possible, as well as those where it was not. However, he noted that the Iranian delegation had ultimately chosen not to accept the proposed terms.
At the beginning of his remarks, Vance expressed appreciation to Pakistan’s leadership, particularly Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, for their role in hosting and facilitating the talks. He acknowledged Pakistan’s significant diplomatic efforts in bridging differences between Washington and Tehran, stressing that any lack of progress in the negotiations could not be attributed to Islamabad. According to Vance, Pakistan had done “an amazing job” in creating an environment conducive to dialogue.
Addressing the core objectives of the United States, Vance made it clear that Washington’s primary demand remains an explicit and long-term commitment from Iran that it will neither pursue nuclear weapons nor develop the capability to rapidly produce them. He described this as the central goal of the US administration and a key focus of the negotiations. While discussions covered a wide range of issues, he said the fundamental concern was whether Iran was willing to make a sustained commitment to abstain from nuclear weapon development—not just in the short term, but permanently. He added that such a commitment had not yet been observed, though the US remained hopeful.
Vance also highlighted that the American delegation had demonstrated flexibility throughout the discussions, attempting to accommodate Iran where possible. Despite this, he said, the talks failed to reach a point where both sides could agree on acceptable terms. He noted that the delegation maintained continuous communication with Washington during the negotiations, consulting frequently with the US president and the broader national security team over a period of nearly 21 hours.
According to Vance, the United States has now presented what it considers its “final and best offer” and has departed Islamabad, leaving it up to Iran to decide whether to accept it. The US delegation—including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner—had engaged in approximately two hours of direct discussions with Iranian officials, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, before taking a break.
The departure of the US team marked a setback, especially after earlier indications that talks would continue into a second day. Negotiations had entered a more technical phase, involving the exchange of written proposals and detailed frameworks.
Meanwhile, Iran signaled that discussions were still ongoing. In a statement shared on social media, the Iranian government confirmed that a round of talks lasting around 14 hours had concluded and that technical teams from both sides were now exchanging detailed documents. It added that negotiations would resume after a short break, indicating a transition toward more in-depth drafting aimed at resolving key disagreements.
Iranian officials also adopted a cautious tone. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that while both sides had reached some level of understanding on several issues, there were still disagreements on a few major points. He emphasized that given the history of conflict and mistrust—particularly following 40 days of war—it was unrealistic to expect a comprehensive agreement in a single meeting.
Iranian state media, however, placed blame on the United States for the lack of progress. Reports claimed that “unreasonable demands” from the American side had hindered the negotiations, despite what was described as intensive and continuous efforts by the Iranian delegation over 21 hours to safeguard national interests. Other Iranian sources suggested that unless the US showed willingness to agree to a “reasonable deal,” there would be no change in the situation regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
The broader context of the negotiations is shaped by a recent and intense conflict that began on February 28, following coordinated US-Israeli strikes targeting Iranian leadership and infrastructure. The conflict resulted in over 2,000 deaths and significant regional instability. Iran responded with retaliatory measures, including disrupting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and launching attacks on US and Israeli targets. A ceasefire was eventually reached on April 8, with Pakistan playing a key mediating role, though major issues remain unresolved.
At the heart of the talks are two competing frameworks: a 15-point proposal from the United States and a 10-point plan from Iran. Key areas of disagreement include Iran’s nuclear programme, economic sanctions, control over the Strait of Hormuz, regional influence, and missile capabilities.
The US is seeking strict guarantees that Iran will not develop nuclear weapons, along with limitations on uranium enrichment and enhanced monitoring by international agencies. Iran, on the other hand, insists on its right to pursue peaceful nuclear activities, including enrichment, viewing it as a matter of national sovereignty.
Sanctions relief is another major sticking point. Iran is demanding the immediate removal of all economic sanctions and the release of its frozen assets, whereas the US is proposing a phased approach tied to verified compliance with nuclear and security commitments.
Control of the Strait of Hormuz remains highly contentious. Iran wants formal recognition of its authority over the strategic waterway, while the US insists on unrestricted international access to ensure global energy security.
Additional disagreements involve Iran’s regional role and military capabilities. The US is pushing for Iran to end support for allied armed groups across the Middle East, while Iran is calling for an end to military actions against those groups and a broader reduction in regional tensions. Tehran has also demanded the withdrawal of US forces from the region and guarantees of non-aggression—demands that Washington has not shown willingness to meet.
Iran’s ballistic missile programme is another point of friction, with the US seeking limitations and Iran rejecting such demands as violations of its right to self-defense. Iran has also raised the issue of compensation for damages caused during recent conflicts, while the US is expected to push for accountability regarding attacks on its interests and allies.
Despite the challenges, the international community has broadly welcomed Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue and reducing tensions. Both sides have indicated a willingness to continue negotiations, though significant gaps remain before any final agreement can be reached.