By Queen Madaki
The Bureau News reports that the United States and Iran have failed to reach an agreement following a marathon round of high-level peace talks held in Islamabad.
Speaking after the negotiations, US Vice President J.D. Vance, who led Washington’s delegation, confirmed that both sides were unable to secure a breakthrough after 21 hours of discussions.
“The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement. And I think that’s bad news for Iran much more than it’s bad news for the US… they have chosen not to accept our terms,” Vance said during a press briefing before departing Islamabad.
He explained that a key sticking point in the negotiations was the United States’ demand for firm assurances from Iran regarding its nuclear ambitions.
According to him, Washington insisted on a clear and verifiable commitment that Iran would neither pursue nuclear weapons nor develop the capacity to rapidly produce them.
Despite the deadlock, Vance indicated that diplomatic channels remain open, describing the proposal on the table as the United States’ “final and best offer.”
The talks, which began on Saturday, marked the first direct engagement between the two countries since the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated under former US President Barack Obama.
That agreement was later withdrawn by former President Donald Trump, leading to years of heightened tensions between both nations.
The latest negotiations come amid a fragile ceasefire following six weeks of escalating conflict in the Middle East, further complicated by ongoing Israeli military operations in Lebanon.
Iran’s insistence on maintaining strategic control over the Strait of Hormuz also remains a significant point of contention, given its importance to global oil supply routes.
The Bureau News understands that while no deal has been reached, the outcome of the talks will have far-reaching implications for regional stability and global energy markets.
