Tehran signals no fresh talks after Islamabad negotiations collapse; JD Vance returns to US

High-stakes talks between US and Iran end in deadlock, raising fresh uncertainty over regional peace efforts

April 12, 2026

No breakthrough in US-Iran negotiations as Tehran signals pause and Washington calls it its final offer

21-hour US-Iran talks end without breakthrough, both sides trade blame

High-stakes negotiations between the United States and Iran in Islamabad ended without any agreement after nearly 21 hours of intense discussions, signalling a fresh setback to efforts aimed at easing tensions in West Asia.

US Vice President JD Vance confirmed the deadlock, saying Washington had clearly outlined its position but failed to secure acceptance from Tehran.
“We go back to the United States having not come to an agreement… We’ve made very clear what our red lines are,” he said.

Talks fail despite marathon negotiations

The negotiations brought together senior officials from both sides, including US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, and an Iranian delegation led by Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf along with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The primary goal was to find a pathway to end the six-week conflict and stabilise the region, but both sides ultimately walked away without consensus.

Key issues remain unresolved

Discussions reportedly focused on critical issues such as the Strait of Hormuz, extension of the ceasefire, and phased sanctions relief.

However, core disagreements — especially around nuclear commitments — remained unresolved, preventing any meaningful breakthrough.

US calls it ‘final offer’

Vance emphasised that Washington had presented what it considers its “final and best offer,” particularly seeking firm commitments from Iran on nuclear weapons.

“We just could not get to a situation where the Iranians were willing to accept our terms,” he said, adding that the US had shown flexibility during the talks.

Iran blames ‘unreasonable demands’

Iranian state media offered a contrasting narrative, blaming the US for the collapse. Reports claimed Washington’s “excessive” and “unreasonable demands” blocked progress, particularly on nuclear rights and control over Hormuz.

Sources cited by Iranian outlets suggested Tehran is not planning any immediate return to the negotiating table.