April 12, 2026

US and Iran Talks End Fruitlessly

Negotiations between US and Iranian delegations in the capital of Pakistan, which lasted 21 hours, reached a deadlock due to a lack of agreement on issues of control over the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian nuclear weapons. This is reported by the BBC. "We had a number of substantive discussions with the Iranians, that's good news. The bad news is that we did not reach an agreement, and I think that this is bad news for Iran to a much greater extent than for the US. We were unable to reach a situation where the Iranians would accept our terms," said US Vice President JD Vance. Vance, who led the Washington delegation, has already left Pakistan. According to him, the issue of nuclear weapons is key to the negotiations, and that Trump's main task is to prevent Tehran from possessing nuclear weapons. As reported by the Financial Times, an Iranian representative stated that more than one meeting would be required to reach an agreement. According to him, the atmosphere at the meeting was "full of distrust and suspicion." Tehran urged Washington to negotiate "in good faith" and refrain from "excessive demands and illegal requests." The publication notes that another key issue on which an agreement could not be reached is the Strait of Hormuz. Iran insists on control over the strait and the right to collect duties from ships passing through it. The country's delegation also refuses the options of "joint control" over the strait proposed by the United States.