No Breakthrough in US-Iran Talks After Marathon Islamabad Negotiations

Islamabad: High-stakes negotiations between the United States and Iran concluded without a deal after nearly a full day of discussions in Pakistan’s capital, highlighting persistent tensions between the two sides.

The negotiations, which lasted around 21 hours, were aimed at finding a pathway to end the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Despite prolonged engagement, both sides were unable to bridge critical gaps.

The US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, described the outcome as disappointing, indicating that the lack of progress was a setback for Tehran.

The American team included key officials and advisers, while the Iranian side was headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf along with senior ministers and defence officials.

Their presence underscored the importance both nations attached to the negotiations.

Ahead of the meeting, both countries had agreed to a temporary two-week ceasefire to create space for diplomacy. However, disagreements over broader regional issues — particularly the exclusion of Lebanon from the proposed framework — emerged as a major sticking point.

These unresolved concerns have added uncertainty to the already fragile truce.

With no agreement reached, the future of negotiations remains unclear. Analysts suggest that while dialogue channels remain open, achieving a long-term resolution will require addressing deeper geopolitical differences.

The failure to secure a breakthrough in Islamabad signals that further rounds of talks may be needed before any meaningful progress can be achieved.