Negotiations between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the ongoing Middle East conflict have ended without a breakthrough, with JD Vance confirming that both sides failed to reach an agreement after extended discussions in Islamabad.
Speaking after hours of high-level engagement, Vance disclosed that Washington had presented what he described as its “final and best offer” to Tehran, but key differences remain unresolved. He stressed that the United States is demanding a clear assurance that Iran will not pursue nuclear weapons development, a condition he said has not yet been met.
Despite the deadlock, the US signalled it is still open to allowing Iran time to review the proposal. The talks followed a temporary pause in hostilities earlier in the week involving the United States and Israel, creating a narrow window for diplomacy.
Officials in Islamabad, where the discussions were hosted, said efforts would continue to keep communication channels open. Pakistan’s leadership urged both parties to maintain the fragile ceasefire and prioritise dialogue.
However, Iran’s position remained firm. State media accused the United States of presenting conditions it considers unrealistic, particularly regarding control and access to the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials argued that expecting a comprehensive deal after weeks of conflict was unrealistic.
The tensions stem from a wider confrontation that began after coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on February 28, which triggered retaliatory actions from Tehran and escalated instability across the Middle East. The crisis has significantly disrupted global oil supply routes and driven volatility in energy markets.
Throughout the negotiations, both sides maintained strong bargaining positions. The US reportedly increased pressure by deploying naval assets near critical maritime routes, while Iran leveraged its strategic influence over the Strait of Hormuz, a channel responsible for a significant portion of global oil transit.
Donald Trump also weighed in during the talks, claiming that the United States had already achieved major military success, suggesting that a diplomatic agreement was not essential from Washington’s perspective.
Key sticking points in the discussions included Iran’s demand for the release of frozen assets and an end to Israel’s military operations in Lebanon—conditions the US delegation indicated were outside the scope of the current talks.
Meanwhile, conflicting claims emerged over naval movements in the Strait of Hormuz. While the US military said it had begun operations to secure the waterway, Iranian forces denied any American presence and warned of possible retaliation if such actions occur.
Beyond the Iran-US standoff, the regional situation remains tense. Violence continues in Lebanon, where clashes involving Israeli forces and Hezbollah have resulted in rising casualties. Separate negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are expected to take place in Washington soon.
Although the Islamabad talks ended without an agreement, diplomatic efforts are expected to continue in the coming days, as global stakeholders push to prevent further escalation of the conflict.
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