US-Iran Peace Talks in Pakistan End Without Agreement After 21 Hours

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 10:18:00 +0200

US Vice President JD Vance led high-level negotiations with Iranian officials in Islamabad, Pakistan, aiming to secure a peace deal following recent conflicts. The talks, which included Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, lasted 21 hours but concluded without a deal. The core issue was Iran's refusal to commit to abandoning its nuclear weapons ambitions, a key US demand. Vance emphasized that the US sought an affirmative commitment from Iran not to pursue nuclear capabilities. This represents one of the highest-level direct engagements between the US and Iran since the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Despite the failure, the discussions highlight ongoing diplomatic efforts amid tensions, including a fragile ceasefire. Vance had warned beforehand that the US team would not be receptive to what they perceived as Iranian attempts to 'play' them. The breakdown underscores the challenges in achieving lasting peace in the region, with broader implications for nuclear non-prolifer