News
Direct talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad failed to produce an agreement to end the war after more than 21 hours, as the Iranian delegation rejected U.S. terms despite what Washington described as flexibility, according to Vice President JD Vance, who announced the outcome early Sunday local time.
Details
• Vance, joined by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, said the team had been flexible and had spoken with Trump repeatedly, but Tehran refused to commit to not pursuing a nuclear weapon.
• The main disputes were control of the Strait of Hormuz, the fate of 400 kilograms of enriched uranium, and Iran’s demand for the release of $27 billion in frozen funds as compensation.
• Iran is refusing to fully reopen Hormuz before a final deal and insists on maintaining its position in the Gulf.
• The Iranian delegation, led by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Abbas Araghchi, described the talks as positive but said they ran into excessive U.S. demands.
• Pakistan, the mediator, warned that preserving the ceasefire remains essential despite the failure of the talks.
• Trump followed developments from Miami and said the United States had won regardless of whether a deal was reached.
• U.S. Central Command said two destroyers crossed Hormuz to begin mine-clearing operations, while Tehran denied that claim.
What next?
The ceasefire expires on April 21, opening the door to renewed fighting unless Iran accepts the final U.S. proposal, amid fears of higher energy prices and worsening global inflation.
