The host of the talks, Pakistan, probably imagined it a bit differently. A specially established media center in Islamabad's government district was to be open 24 hours a day for up to 15 days. The Pakistani government hoped that about 300 journalists coming from abroad would cover not only the U.S.-Iran negotiations but also the mediator's activities.
Western reporters were constantly questioned by Pakistani colleagues looking for favorable words about the summit organizer. And then it happened – in a speech lasting three minutes and 18 seconds, US Vice President JD Vance announced the end of talks with Tehran – without an agreement. — We have defined very clearly what our limits are, on what issues we can still make concessions and on what issues we cannot. The Iranians have decided not to accept our conditions, he said.
Less than an hour later, the plane carrying the American delegation took off from Islamabad International Airport, leaving many questions unanswered.
What ultimately led to the failure of the negotiations? Is the door closed to further talks? And perhaps most importantly, will guns speak again?
Mutual accusations
One thing is certain: both sides, the Americans and the Iranians, entered the talks with clear ideas. Washington wanted assurances from Tehran that it would no longer enrich uranium for military purposes and that it would hand over already enriched supplies – experts say about 500 kg. On both issues, the Iranians refused to budge. They accuse the Americans of not being interested in real negotiations at all.
“We didn't expect that the Americans would help us,” Iranian political scientist Mohsen Farchani from the University of Isfahan told reporters at the media center. — They just put on a show, they wanted to create the impression that they were seriously interested in the talks.
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The US, in turn, accused that the delegation from Tehran was playing for time. The Iranians were prepared for several days of negotiations. — JD Vance has no experience with this type of conversation. He doesn't understand Iran's negotiating culture, says Ross Harrison of the Middle East Institute in Pittsburgh.
On Sunday morning, Iranian state television reported that irresponsible US demands led to the failure of the summit. — The Iranian delegation negotiated continuously and intensively for 21 hours to defend the national interests of the Iranian people. Despite numerous initiatives from the Iranian delegation, US demands made it impossible to continue the talks, she said.
Negotiation deadlock
Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf negotiated on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Pakistan. According to The New York Times, it was the highest-ranking direct conversation between American and Iranian officials since the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1979. Citing two senior Iranian officials, the daily reported that Vance and Ghalibaf shook hands. The atmosphere of the meeting was initially supposed to be calm and cordial.
On Saturday afternoon, just before flying to Miami, Donald Trump said that he doesn't care whether there is an agreement with Iran or not. — We'll win either way. We defeated them militarily, he told reporters.
In parallel with the negotiations in Pakistan, the US Central Command in the Middle East (CENTCOM) announced that the Navy had launched an operation to remove naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz. In a message published on the website, X wrote that two destroyers sailed through the strait and carried out operations in the Persian Gulf. A little later, Trump announced that minehunters would also be sent there.
CENTCOM said the mission was to make the strait completely free of naval mines. “Today we began establishing a new passage and will soon open this safe route to the shipping industry to support the free flow of goods,” CENTCOM wrote, quoting Admiral Brad Cooper.
If this actually happens, the mullahs may lose a bargaining chip they thought was certain: blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a warning. “Any attempt by navy ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz will result in serious consequences,” he said in a statement. So far, these threats have not been followed by any action.
Although the positions of both sides seem immutable, Vance has left an opening for himself. —We have presented our latest offer. We'll see if the Iranians accept it.
The host of the talks, Pakistan, has not yet lost hope. The country's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said it was imperative that both sides respect the ceasefire negotiated less than a week ago. — We will continue to support dialogue between the two countries, he said, expressing hope that both sides will achieve “lasting peace and prosperity for the entire region and beyond.”
Therefore, the media center, which was prepared at great expense, will remain open for now. Islamabad hopes that the eyes of the world will soon turn to Pakistan's capital again – in the event of a possible continuation of talks.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
