By Gloria Ogbonna
Vice President JD Vance announced Saturday evening that the United States delegation has officially withdrawn from high-stakes peace negotiations with Iran after nearly a full day of intense discussions failed to produce a breakthrough. The talks, held at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, ended without an agreement after Iranian officials declined to accept the terms outlined by Washington.
Standing alongside White House Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner, Vance addressed reporters following approximately 21 hours of negotiations. He described the discussions as “substantive” but ultimately unproductive.
“We have had a number of serious and detailed conversations with the Iranians — that’s the good news,” Vance stated. “The unfortunate reality is that we have not reached an agreement. In our view, that is far more detrimental to Iran than it is to the United States. Therefore, we are returning home without a deal.”
According to Vance, U.S. officials clearly outlined their non-negotiable conditions, commonly referred to as “red lines,” as well as areas where flexibility was possible. Despite those efforts, Iranian representatives reportedly chose not to accept what the American delegation described as its final and best offer.
“We made it unmistakably clear what we are prepared to accommodate and what we are not,” Vance emphasized. “Our expectations were communicated directly and transparently. Ultimately, Iran may have decided not to accept those terms.”
While declining to disclose every detail of the negotiations, the Vice President reiterated that the central objective of the talks was to secure a long-term and verifiable commitment from Tehran that it would not pursue the development of nuclear weapons — now or in the future.
“A firm commitment is essential,” Vance said. “The President of the United States has made it a core national security goal to ensure that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon or the capacity to rapidly build one. While previous enrichment facilities have been destroyed, the broader question remains: Is there a fundamental, long-term commitment from Iran to abandon nuclear weapons development? At this point, we have not seen that commitment.”
According to reports cited by NBC News, the U.S. delegation left the negotiating table after presenting what officials described as a straightforward framework for resolution. “We’ve put forward our final and best proposal,” Vance reportedly said. “The decision now rests with the Iranians.”
The talks in Pakistan were organized rapidly earlier in the week, following mounting tensions between Washington and Tehran. Iran had reportedly agreed to a temporary ceasefire shortly before a deadline set by President Donald Trump for potential additional strikes on Iranian infrastructure, including bridges and power facilities. Reports suggested that pressure from international allies, including China, may have played a role in Iran’s decision to temporarily de-escalate.
However, significant disagreements remained. President Trump has consistently maintained that any lasting peace agreement would require Iran to completely abandon its uranium enrichment program. In contrast, Iranian officials have continued to assert what they call their sovereign right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes, as outlined in a ten-point proposal presented during negotiations.
Beyond the nuclear issue, another major concern arising from the breakdown in talks is the security of the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global shipping route connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. Approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the narrow waterway, making its stability vital to global markets.
The Strait has been effectively closed since early last month after Iran claimed it deployed naval mines in the area. The resulting disruption has raised alarms in international energy and defense circles.
On Saturday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that two U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers — the USS Frank E. Peterson and the USS Michael Murphy — have begun preparations for a minesweeping operation aimed at restoring safe passage through the Strait.
Officials say the operation is particularly challenging. Reports indicate that Iran may not have accurately recorded the precise locations of all deployed mines, and some may have drifted from their original positions due to currents or improper anchoring. This uncertainty adds significant complexity and risk to the clearance effort.
As diplomatic channels appear to have stalled, attention now shifts to whether Iran will reconsider the American proposal or whether tensions will escalate further in the coming weeks. For now, U.S. officials maintain that the door remains open — but only if Tehran is willing to meet the conditions Washington considers essential for long-term regional and global security.