Vice President JD Vance announced early Sunday that the United States and Iran failed to reach an agreement following intense, direct negotiations in Pakistan, dealing a setback to efforts to solidify a fragile ceasefire amid the ongoing regional conflict.

Speaking at a press conference from the Serena Hotel in Islamabad, Vance stated that U.S. negotiators, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, engaged in more than 21 hours of face-to-face talks with Iranian officials. “The good news is we were willing to negotiate,” Vance said. “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.”

Vance emphasized that the Trump administration held firm on its “red lines,” particularly demanding a clear, verifiable commitment from Iran to abandon any pursuit of nuclear weapons and related capabilities. Iran, he said, “has chosen not to accept our terms.” The vice president declined to detail specifics publicly, noting, “I won’t go into all the details because I don’t want to negotiate in public after we negotiated for 21 hours in private.”

The high-stakes talks, mediated in part by Pakistan, aimed to build on a two-week ceasefire announced earlier this month. That truce sought to reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz – disrupted by Iranian actions following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February – and address broader hostilities, including Israeli operations against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. The conflict has caused significant regional instability, energy market shocks, and casualties across multiple fronts.

President Donald Trump’s administration has made clear that Iran must cease nuclear ambitions, stop threats to global shipping, and halt support for proxy militias for any lasting peace. Vance’s comments signal continued U.S. resolve, with warnings of potential consequences if Tehran does not shift course.