US-Iran Talks End Without Deal After 21-Hour Islamabad Meeting: JD Vance

ISLAMABAD, Apr 12: High-level talks between the United States and Iran concluded without an agreement after nearly 21 hours of negotiations in Islamabad, US Vice President JD Vance said.

Vance described the discussions as substantive but said no deal could be reached, citing Washington’s demand for a clear and long-term commitment from Tehran to refrain from pursuing nuclear weapons or capabilities enabling rapid weaponisation. He said the US approach was flexible and in good faith, but Iran did not accept the proposed terms. A “final and best offer” has now been presented, with the US awaiting Iran’s response.

Earlier, Iran indicated that dialogue would continue despite unresolved differences, calling the meeting the highest-level direct engagement with the United States in decades.

The talks, held in Islamabad, were aimed at easing tensions and exploring a structured understanding between the two countries. Key issues included a possible ceasefire in West Asia, release of Iranian assets held by the US, and developments around the Strait of Hormuz.

Amid the negotiations, US President Donald Trump said it made no difference whether a deal was reached, asserting that operations in the Strait of Hormuz were ongoing and that the US had already prevailed.

The US delegation was led by Vance, along with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Iran was represented by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and senior official Ali Bagheri-Kani.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the campaign against Iran was not over but claimed Israel had made significant gains and thwarted Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.