ISLAMABAD (AP) — Historic diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran concluded without success in Pakistan’s capital after Iranian officials declined to pledge they would abandon nuclear weapons development, casting doubt on the continuation of a delicate two-week ceasefire.
Vice President JD Vance, who headed the American negotiating team, revealed that discussions stretched for 21 hours in Islamabad but ultimately failed to produce “an affirmative commitment” from Iran “that they will not seek a nuclear weapon.”
The vice president’s statements left unclear what actions might follow the 14-day ceasefire originally brokered between the United States, Iran and Israel, though Pakistani officials urged both nations to maintain the truce.
“It is imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to ceasefire,” Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said, adding that his country will try to facilitate a new dialogue between Iran and the U.S. in the coming days.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei offered one of Tehran’s initial responses, stating the negotiations broke down due to a “gap between our opinions over two or three important issues.” Speaking to Iran’s state television, he confirmed the Strait of Hormuz was among discussion topics but made no reference to nuclear weapons.
The Islamabad meetings commenced Saturday, several days following the announcement of the tenuous ceasefire as the conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and disrupted international markets reached its seventh week.
Vance maintained he stayed in regular contact with President Donald Trump and other administration officials throughout the diplomatic process.
“But the simple fact is that we need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon,” Vance told reporters. “That is the core goal of the president of the United States. And that’s what we’ve tried to achieve through these negotiations.”
The vice president disclosed he communicated with Trump “a half dozen times, a dozen times, over the past 21 hours” and also conferred with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Adm. Brad Cooper, head of the United States Central Command.
“We were negotiating in good faith,” Vance said, speaking at a podium in front of a pair of American flags with special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to his side. “And we leave here, and we leave here with a very simple proposal, a method of understanding that is our final and best offer. We’ll see if the Iranians accept it.”
During the Islamabad discussions, American military officials announced two destroyers moved through the Iran-controlled Strait of Hormuz to begin mine-clearing operations, marking the first such action since hostilities began. Iranian state media disputed this claim.
“We’re sweeping the strait. Whether we make a deal or not makes no difference to me,” Trump told journalists as talks continued and the time approached 2 a.m. in Islamabad. He called negotiations “very deep.” Iranian state TV noted what it called “serious” differences.
Vance’s American delegation and the Iranian team headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf worked with Pakistani officials to extend the ceasefire already endangered by fundamental disagreements and Israel’s ongoing military operations against Iranian-supported Hezbollah in Lebanon, where health officials report fatalities have exceeded 2,000.
The most direct American-Iranian contact since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution occurred in 2013 when President Barack Obama telephoned newly elected President Hassan Rouhani regarding Iran’s nuclear activities. Obama’s secretary of state, John Kerry, and counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif subsequently held meetings during negotiations that led to the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement — a process spanning more than a year.
These expanded discussions featured Vance, a war skeptic with limited diplomatic background who cautioned Iran against attempting to “try and play us,” and Qalibaf, a former Revolutionary Guard commander known for delivering Iran’s most aggressive rhetoric since fighting commenced.
Iran’s official news service reported the three-nation talks proceeded after Iranian preconditions were satisfied, including reduced Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon.
Iran’s negotiating team informed state television they had outlined “red lines” during meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, including demands for compensation for damages from U.S.-Israeli strikes that initiated the February 28 war and the release of Iran’s frozen financial assets.
The conflict has resulted in at least 3,000 deaths in Iran, 2,020 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab nations, while causing extensive infrastructure damage across multiple Middle Eastern countries. Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz has effectively blocked Persian Gulf oil and gas exports from reaching global markets, driving energy costs higher.
Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz represents its most significant strategic weapon in the conflict. Approximately one-fifth of internationally traded oil typically transited through the waterway on more than 100 vessels daily. Only 12 ships have been documented passing through since the ceasefire began.
Trump announced Saturday on social media that American forces had started “clearing out” the strait.
“Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon,” U.S. Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper later said. The U.S. statement about the destroyers added: “Additional U.S. forces, including underwater drones, will join the clearance effort in the coming days.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated Tehran approached negotiations with “deep distrust” following previous attacks on Iran during earlier diplomatic efforts. Araghchi, serving on Iran’s delegation in Pakistan, announced Saturday his nation stood ready to respond if attacked again.
Iran’s 10-point negotiating position demanded guaranteed war termination and sought authority over the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal included ending military action against Iran’s “regional allies,” specifically requesting cessation of Israeli operations against Hezbollah.
America’s 15-point framework includes limitations on Iran’s nuclear activities and reopening the strait.
Israel continued Lebanese strikes after declaring no ceasefire exists there. Iran and Pakistan have expressed disagreement.
Israeli-Lebanese negotiations are scheduled to commence Tuesday in Washington, according to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s office, following Israel’s unexpected announcement authorizing discussions despite the nations’ lack of formal diplomatic relations.
However, as thousands demonstrated against the proposed negotiations Saturday in Lebanon, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced postponing his planned Washington visit “in light of the current internal circumstances.” His absence should not impact talks since initial sessions are expected at the ambassadorial level.
Israel seeks Lebanon’s government to accept responsibility for dismantling Hezbollah, similar to arrangements envisioned in a November 2024 ceasefire. The militant organization has withstood decades of efforts to reduce its influence.
Hezbollah entered the conflict supporting Iran during the initial phase. Israel responded with aerial bombardments and ground operations.
On the day Iran ceasefire arrangements were announced, Israel launched intensive Beirut airstrikes, killing more than 300 people in Lebanon’s deadliest single day since hostilities began, according to the country’s Health Ministry.
