US-Iran talks collapse after 21-hour marathon negotiations

US Vice President JD Vance speaks after talks in Pakistan, as President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner (left) and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff (centre) watch. PIC/AFP

The US and Iran failed to reach a peace deal at their historic 21-hour talks in Pakistan, leaving the fate of a tenuous two-week ceasefire in doubt, with both sides attempting to hold each other responsible for the collapse of the negotiations.

Vice President JD Vance, who led the US delegation at the negotiations in Islamabad, said the Iranian side did not accept Washington's terms for ending the war even as the US presented its "final and best offer". He indicated that Tehran's reluctance to abandon its nuclear programme was one of the key sticking points.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, head of the Iranian team, said it is for the US to decide whether it can "earn our trust or not". The Iranian foreign ministry said the US side resorted to "excessive" and "illegal demands".

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