Negotiations between the US and Iran have ended without an agreement following more than 20 hours of talks, according to remarks by US Vice President JD Vance, who described the outcome as a setback primarily for Tehran.
Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, Vance said the discussions, which he described as “substantive,” failed to produce a breakthrough despite what he called a good-faith effort from the US delegation.
“We have been in talks for 21 hours and held a series of meaningful discussions with the Iranians. That is the good news,” Vance said. “The bad news is that we did not reach an agreement. And I think that is more bad news for Iran than for the United States.”
The negotiations were widely seen as a critical attempt to de-escalate tensions and move toward a more durable resolution following weeks of conflict. However, officials did not provide detailed information about the specific terms discussed, and key elements of the talks remain unclear.
According to Vance, Iranian negotiators declined to accept US conditions for a deal, which he described as “flexible.” He said Washington had entered the talks under instructions from Donald Trump to pursue an agreement in good faith.
“We were cooperative. The president told us to come here with goodwill and to make our best effort to reach a deal. We did that, and unfortunately, we were unable to make any progress,” he said.
While neither side has released a full account of the negotiations, Vance suggested that Iran’s refusal to scale back its nuclear program was a central point of disagreement. That issue has long been one of the most sensitive and contested aspects of US–Iran relations.
Tehran has not immediately issued a detailed response to Vance’s remarks, and it remains unclear how Iranian officials are interpreting the outcome. Previous rounds of talks have often ended with differing narratives from each side, and independent verification of claims remains limited.
The breakdown comes at a delicate moment, with a fragile ceasefire still holding after recent hostilities. Analysts warn that the failure to reach an agreement could complicate efforts to stabilize the situation, particularly if diplomatic channels begin to narrow.
Despite the lack of progress, Vance indicated that the United States has presented what he described as a final and comprehensive proposal, leaving the door open for Iran to reconsider.
“We leave here with a very simple proposal, a pathway forward that represents our final and best offer,” he said. “We will see whether the Iranians choose to accept it.”
The broader implications of the failed talks are still unfolding. A prolonged deadlock could increase uncertainty in the region and raise concerns among international actors seeking to avoid further escalation.
For now, the situation appears unresolved. With both sides holding firm on key issues, the prospects for a near-term agreement remain uncertain, and the next steps in the diplomatic process have yet to be clearly defined.