Why US-Iran talks failed: Nuclear stance; ‘excessive demands’ at core

Islamabad, Apr 11: The United States and Iran ended high-stakes talks in Pakistan on Sunday without reaching an agreement, dimming hopes of a breakthrough to ease the West Asia conflict that has disrupted global energy markets.

The negotiations, brokered by Pakistan, marked a rare and historic engagement between the two sides, including direct, high-level talks, the first since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The discussions followed a six-day ceasefire announced earlier this week.

US Vice President JD Vance, who led the American delegation, said the talks failed to yield a peace deal, citing Iran’s refusal to forgo its nuclear programme as a key sticking point.

“We leave here with a very simple proposal, a method of understanding that this is our final and best offer. We’ll see if the Iranians accept it,” Vance said at a press conference before departing Islamabad.

Iran, however, blamed Washington for the deadlock. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Tehran had presented “forward-looking initiatives” during the 21-hour negotiations, but the US had failed to build trust.

“Now is the time for the US to decide whether it can gain our trust or not,” he said in a series of posts, without elaborating further.

Iranian officials also pointed to “excessive demands” from the US side, while Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei stressed that “diplomacy never ends,” signalling that talks could continue.

According to official sources, the negotiations began with indirect exchanges facilitated by Pakistan before moving to direct discussions between the delegations.

Key areas of disagreement reportedly included Iran’s nuclear programme and control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route.

Tehran’s broader demands included the withdrawal of US forces from West Asia, lifting of sanctions and recognition of its control over the strait.

The talks came against the backdrop of a conflict that began on February 28 following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, triggering instability in the region and disrupting global energy supplies.

The failure to reach a deal has raised fresh uncertainty over the durability of the fragile ceasefire and the prospects of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, seen as vital to stabilising global energy markets.