Islamabad, Apr 12(KNS): High-stakes negotiations between the United States and Iran ended without agreement after marathon talks in Pakistan, with both sides blaming each other for the breakdown and uncertainty persisting over the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The talks, held in Islamabad and lasting over 20 hours, marked one of the highest-level direct engagements between Washington and Tehran in decades. The US delegation was led by Vice President JD Vance, who announced that his team was leaving without securing a deal, stating that Iran had refused to accept key American terms, including commitments related to nuclear weapons.
Iran, however, said the negotiations failed due to what it described as “unreasonable demands” by Washington. A spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry said the discussions took place in an atmosphere of mistrust and that expecting a breakthrough in a single round was unrealistic.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged both sides to uphold the ceasefire, calling it “imperative” to prevent further escalation.
He said Islamabad would continue efforts to facilitate dialogue between the two countries.
A major sticking point remains the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil transit route, with disagreements over its status and security. Iran indicated it would not rush back to negotiations unless a “reasonable deal” is offered.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israel would continue its military campaign against Iran, adding to regional tensions.
Global leaders have expressed concern over the failure of talks, warning that any escalation could increase human and economic costs, while calls for renewed negotiations and restraint continue.(KNS).
