US and Iran fail to reach agreement after marathon talks in Pakistan

The United States and Iran concluded talks in Islamabad without reaching an agreement to end their paused war. US Vice President JD Vance, leading the American delegation, stated that Iran did not accept their terms, emphasizing that the lack of agreement was more detrimental to Iran than to the US. Vance highlighted Iran's nuclear program as a key point of contention, stressing the US demand for an affirmative commitment from Iran not to seek or quickly develop a nuclear weapon. He described the US proposal as a "very simple proposal, a framework of understanding that is our final and best offer." The talks, mediated by Pakistan, lasted 21 hours according to Vance. However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei downplayed the outcome, stating that an agreement was not expected in a single session, especially given the context of an aggressive war and mistrust. Baghaei noted that while understandings were reached on some issues, significant gaps remained on "two or three key topics," including the Strait of Hormuz. Neither country has indicated their next steps, but Pakistan's foreign minister urged both sides to maintain the ceasefire, and the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman affirmed that "the path of diplomacy has not been closed."