US Vice President JD Vance said that Washington and Tehran failed to reach an agreement after 21 hours of intensive negotiations held in Islamabad, despite what he described as serious diplomatic efforts by all sides.
Speaking after the marathon talks, Vance stated that Iran had “chosen not to accept our terms” and confirmed that the United States was leaving behind what he called its “final and best offer.”
Pakistan Praised for Hosting Diplomatic Effort
Vance praised Pakistan’s leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, for facilitating the negotiations.
He stressed that the failure to reach a deal was not due to Pakistan’s efforts, saying Islamabad had “done an amazing job” in trying to bridge the gap between both sides.
Key Takeaways from Vance’s Remarks
1. No agreement after 21 hours of talks
The US and Iran held extended discussions but were unable to finalize any deal despite “substantive progress” in dialogue.
2. Pakistan’s mediating role appreciated
Vance said Pakistan played a constructive role in trying to bring both sides closer.
3. Iran rejected US terms
According to Vance, Washington presented clear terms and flexibility, but Iran declined to accept them.
4. Nuclear issue remains central
The main sticking point remains Iran’s nuclear program. The US wants a permanent and verifiable commitment that Iran will not pursue nuclear weapons or related capabilities.
5. Long-term guarantees demanded
Washington stressed that it is seeking a long-term, not temporary, commitment from Tehran regarding nuclear development.
6. Wider issues also discussed
Topics included frozen Iranian assets and other bilateral concerns, but no breakthrough was achieved.
7. US says it negotiated in good faith
Vance said the US team followed President Donald Trump’s instructions to negotiate sincerely and showed flexibility during discussions.
8. White House closely involved
He added that US officials remained in constant contact with the White House and national security leadership throughout the negotiations.
9. “Final and best offer” presented
Washington has now formally presented what it describes as its final proposal to Iran, leaving the next move to Tehran.
10. US claims outcome is worse for Iran
Vance argued that the failure to reach a deal is more damaging for Iran than for the United States.
JD Vance Becomes 5th US Vice President to Visit Pakistan Amid High-Stakes Iran-US Talks
The Islamabad talks ended without an agreement, but both sides acknowledged Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue at a critical moment. With Washington’s “final offer” now on the table, the future of negotiations will depend on whether Iran is willing to re-engage under the current framework.
