By Ghazali Ibrahim
Much anticipated peace talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan, have ended without a deal, dealing a setback to efforts aimed at sustaining a fragile ceasefire and ending weeks of conflict.
The negotiations, which lasted more than 20 hours, marked one of the highest-level direct engagements between Washington and Tehran in decades.
However, both sides failed to reach common ground on key issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme and broader regional security demands.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who led the American delegation, said the talks were serious but ultimately inconclusive, noting that Iran declined what he described as Washington’s “final and best offer.”
Iranian officials, on their part, blamed the breakdown on what they called excessive and unrealistic demands from the United States, insisting that any agreement must respect Iran’s sovereignty and strategic interests.
The talks were mediated by Pakistan and were intended to build on a temporary ceasefire agreed earlier in April, with hopes of converting it into a more lasting peace arrangement.
Key sticking points reportedly included U.S. demands for Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions and missile programme, while Tehran pushed for sanctions relief, security guarantees, and greater control over strategic waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the collapse of the talks, both sides have left the door open for further negotiations, with mediators urging restraint to prevent a return to full-scale hostilities.
The failure of the Islamabad talks has raised fresh concerns about the stability of the ceasefire and the potential for renewed escalation in a conflict that has already disrupted global energy markets and heightened tensions across the Middle East.
