Iran-US peace talks fail to reach deal as Washington issues 'final offer' | BBC News

Peace talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan have failed to reach an agreement, with US Vice President JD Vance stating that Iran did not accept America's "final offer." Iranian media, in turn, attributed the breakdown to "unreasonable demands" from the US. The negotiations, which lasted 21 hours, were historic as the highest-level face-to-face talks between the two nations since 1979, but ultimately concluded without a deal. The US delegation, led by Vice President Vance, emphasized the need for a fundamental commitment from Iran not to develop nuclear weapons. Vance stated that this was the core goal of the US president and that Iran had chosen not to accept their terms, which included clear red lines and accommodations. He expressed disappointment, suggesting the failure was worse news for Iran than for the US. Iran's delegation, headed by the speaker of its parliament and foreign minister, sought guarantees against future destruction, reparations for war damage, the release of frozen assets, and an end to attacks on its regional allies. A key demand for Iran was international recognition of its rights over the Strait of Hormuz, potentially including the ability to charge tolls. Iran also considered a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, where Israeli attacks on Hezbollah continued even during the talks, a red line. The US, on the other hand, prioritized the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had selectively blocked, giving it significant leverage. Other US concerns included Iran's nuclear weapons program, ballistic missiles, and regional proxies. President Trump, commenting during the talks, expressed confidence that "regardless what happens, we win," suggesting that the US had already "totally defeated that country." The failure of these talks leaves many questions unanswered regarding the future of the ceasefire, which had been in place for six weeks following a war that caused extensive damage, soaring oil prices, and thousands of deaths. The palpable sense of disappointment among observers was evident, as the high-level participation had initially sparked hope for a genuine effort to find common ground, despite the deep distrust and widely divergent public positions of both sides. The immediate concern is whether this diplomatic failure will lead to a return to fighting, with potentially global consequences. Israel, which was not at the negotiating table, reportedly expressed no surprise at the outcome and indicated readiness to resume conflict with Iran if necessary.