US Vice President returns to Washington after inconclusive 21-hour talks with Iran

United States Vice President JD Vance has left Pakistan after 21 hours of negotiations with Iran ended without an agreement.

Vance said the talks failed to produce a deal, warning that the outcome carried greater consequences for Tehran than for Washington. “The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement, and I think that’s bad news for Iran much more than it’s bad news for the United States of America,” he told reporters before departing Islamabad.

He stressed that the United States had clearly outlined its conditions, particularly on Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “We need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon,” Vance stated.

The high-stakes discussions marked the first direct engagement between Washington and Tehran in more than a decade, and the most senior-level contact since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Despite initial optimism, both sides emerged with deep divisions.

Iranian state-linked Tasnim News Agency blamed what it described as excessive American demands for the breakdown in talks. However, Iranian officials indicated that technical discussions may continue, with experts expected to exchange documents in the coming days.

The US delegation included special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner. On the Iranian side were Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.

Tensions remained high throughout the negotiations, with sources describing fluctuating moods and sharp disagreements. The talks took place under heavy security in Islamabad, reflecting the fragile nature of the discussions.

A key sticking point remains the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of global oil supply passes. The waterway has been central to ceasefire negotiations, with the United States seeking to guarantee free navigation while Iran pushes for greater control and economic concessions.

Iran is also demanding the release of frozen assets, war reparations, and broader ceasefire arrangements across the region. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has prioritised securing maritime access and curbing Iran’s nuclear programme.

The conflict, which has drawn in Israel and Tehran-backed groups in Lebanon, continues to escalate, contributing to rising global oil prices and worsening humanitarian conditions.

With both sides holding firm positions, prospects for a breakthrough remain uncertain.