VP Vance departs Pakistan after intense negotiations between the United States and Iran ended without any agreement in Islamabad. The high-stakes talks continued for more than 21 hours but failed to bridge key differences between both sides.
Before leaving, US Vice President JD Vance said the discussions covered several critical issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme. He made it clear that Washington wanted a firm commitment from Tehran that it would not develop nuclear weapons now or in the future. However, he admitted that such assurance was not achieved.
Vance explained that the US had shown flexibility during the talks but Iran did not accept the proposed terms. He added that the US has now presented what it considers its final offer, leaving the next move to Iran.
Despite the setback, Vance praised Pakistan’s role in hosting and facilitating the dialogue. He said Pakistan made strong efforts to bring both sides closer and create a space for meaningful discussion.
The negotiations involved senior officials from both countries. On the US side, Vance was joined by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The Iranian delegation included Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Iranian officials, however, offered a different view. They said some progress was made on certain issues but major disagreements remain. According to them, it was unrealistic to expect a full agreement in just one round of talks, especially given the current tensions.
The discussions focused heavily on Iran’s nuclear programme, economic sanctions, and control over the Strait of Hormuz. While the US pushed for strict limits and monitoring, Iran insisted on its right to peaceful nuclear activity and demanded full sanctions relief.
The recent conflict in the region has made these talks even more important. Fighting that began earlier this year caused heavy losses and disrupted key shipping routes. A ceasefire was reached recently, but tensions remain high.
Pakistan played a central role in bringing both sides to the table and continues to support further dialogue. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed that Pakistan will keep working to reduce tensions and help both countries move toward a peaceful solution.
For now, with VP Vance departs Pakistan and no agreement in place, the future of US-Iran relations remains uncertain. Both sides may return to talks, but major challenges still stand in the way of a final deal.