Politics News

US–Iran talks in Islamabad end after 21 hours without a deal as Vance leaves a 'final offer'

The first direct talks between the United States and Iran in more than a decade ended in Islamabad on Sunday, April 12, after 21 hours without an agreement. Pakistan's The Express Tribune reported that Vice President JD Vance led the US team, with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, while Iran's delegation was led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The talks came days after a two-week ceasefire in the war that began with US and Israeli strikes on February 28.

“The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement.” — JD Vance, via The Express Tribune

Vance said Washington needed “an affirmative commitment” that Iran will not seek a nuclear weapon. Pakistan's The News listed takeaways from his press conference: Pakistan's mediators “really tried to help us and the Iranians bridge the gap”, Iran had “chosen not to accept our terms”, and the US had left its “final and best offer”. Kyiv Post quoted him calling the deadlock “much worse news for Iran than for the United States.”

The Express Tribune said Tasnim, a news agency linked to the Iranian state, blamed “excessive” US demands, while a foreign ministry spokesperson said no one should have expected a deal “in just one session.” Iranian media said the sides agreed on several issues, but the Strait of Hormuz and the nuclear programme remained the main disputes.

How each outlet framed it

• The Express Tribune — both sides' positions, including Iran's demands for Hormuz transit fees, frozen assets, reparations and a ceasefire that covers Lebanon.
• The News — Pakistan's role, with Vance's praise for his hosts and his point that the failure was not Islamabad's fault.
• Kyiv Post — the risk of renewed fighting when the truce expires on April 22, and uncertain energy markets.

What we don't know yet: Whether Iran will answer the US offer before the ceasefire runs out. Trump, quoted by Kyiv Post, said a deal “makes no difference to me.”