U.S. Vice President JD Vance said negotiations between the United States and Iran ended early Sunday without a peace deal after the Iranians refused to accept American terms not to develop a nuclear weapon.
The high-stakes talks in Pakistan ended after 21 hours, Vance said, with the vice president in constant communication with U.S. President Donald Trump and others in the administration.
“But the simple fact is that 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 told reporters.
The war that has killed thousands of people and shaken global markets entered its seventh week.
The U.S. delegation, led by Vance, and the Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, had discussed how to advance a ceasefire already threatened by deep disagreements and Israel’s continued attacks against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Here is the latest:
Vance leaves Pakistan after impasse in negotiations with Iran
Vice President JD Vance boarded his government plane at 7:08 a.m. local time in Islamabad, planning to depart Pakistan after he said that Iran declined to back down on developing a nuclear weapon.
That’s according to a reporter traveling with Vance.
The war with Iran started at the end of February, and the extensive talks ended after 21 hours. The U.S. and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on April 7 for negotiations.
Vance spoke for about 3 minutes, took 3 questions
U.S. Vice President JD Vance spoke at a podium in front of a pair of American flags, with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to his side. He spoke for one minute before taking three questions from reporters.
His entire remarks lasted just more than three minutes. He offered thanks and walked away without taking additional questions.
Vance says talks with Iran ended without agreement
Vice President JD Vance said negotiations between the U.S. and the Iranians have ended without a peace deal after the Iranians refused to accept American terms to not develop a nuclear weapon.
The high-states talks ended after 21 hours, Vance said, with the vice president in constant communication with President Donald Trump and others in the administration.
“But the simple fact is that 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 told reporters. “That is the core goal of the president of the United States. And that’s what we’ve tried to achieve through these negotiations.â€
US and Iran delegations will continue talks in Pakistan after break
A third round of ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran in Pakistan concluded before dawn Sunday local time, and discussions between the heads of the delegations will resume after a break, two Pakistani officials said.
Some technical personnel from both teams are still meeting, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the press.
The U.S. delegation is led by Vice President JD Vance and the Iranian delegation by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
– Munir Ahmed
Trump downplays Iran negotiations, says deal ‘makes no difference’
Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday, Trump claimed military victory against Iran and downplayed the importance of ongoing ceasefire negotiations involving Vice President JD Vance because “regardless what happens we win.â€
“Let’s see what happens – maybe they make a deal maybe they don’t,†the president said. “It doesn’t matter. From the standpoint of America, we win.â€
Trump acknowledged “very deep negotiations†with Iran. But he also said the U.S. military was searching for mines in the Strait of Hormuz, which remained effectively closed to most freighters carrying oil and natural gas out of the Persian Gulf.
Qatar to fully resume maritime navigation activities
The country’s Ministry of Transport announced Saturday the full resumption of maritime navigation activities effective Sunday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., extending the decision to “all categories of marine vessels and transport modes.â€
The ministry urged operators in a statement to comply with safety protocols.
It was not immediately clear whether the decision meant that Qatari vessels would be allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz, which remained effectively closed as of Saturday.
Iran denies claims that US vessels entered the Strait of Hormuz, state media say
A spokesperson for Iran’s joint military command denied an earlier claim by the U.S. that two Navy destroyers transited the waterway, adding that “initiative over the passage of any vessel rests with the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iranâ€, according to Iran’s state media.
The Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of all oil and natural gas traded once passed, is expected to be one of the most challenging points of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, currently taking place in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.
