Iran has rejected a proposed agreement from the United States following 21 hours of intensive peace talks held in Islamabad, Pakistan, amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking to reporters at the Serena Hotel on Sunday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance described the outcome as unfavorable for Iran, noting that despite “substantive discussions,” no agreement was reached.
“We’ve had a number of substantive discussions with the Iranians that’s the good news. The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement, and I think that’s bad news for Iran much more than it is for the United States,” Vance said.
According to Vance, a key sticking point was Iran’s refusal to commit to halting its pursuit of nuclear weapons. He emphasized that the U.S. had made its position clear during negotiations.
“We need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon and will not pursue the tools to quickly achieve one,” he added.
The U.S. delegation was led by Vance, alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The talks followed a fragile truce between both nations after a six-week conflict that significantly impacted the Middle East.
Representing Iran was Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who led the country’s delegation during the negotiations.
While declining to outline immediate next steps, Vance described the U.S. proposal as its “final and best offer” and noted he remained in close communication with Donald Trump throughout the discussions.
The collapse of the talks raises fresh uncertainty about the prospects for lasting peace in the region.
