The discussions, held days after a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire, marked the first direct engagement between senior U.S. and Iranian officials since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. Delegations led by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf met over more than 20 hours at Islamabad’s Serena Hotel, with Pakistani mediators shuttling between the sides.

Despite moments when negotiators appeared close to a framework agreement, talks ultimately stalled over key issues including Iran’s nuclear program, control of the Strait of Hormuz, and access to frozen assets, according to 11 sources familiar with the discussions.

A U.S. official said Washington’s core objective remained ensuring Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon, while Iranian officials emphasized sovereignty concerns, sanctions relief, and broader security guarantees.

Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons but maintains its right to uranium enrichment.Sources described a tense and shifting atmosphere, with periods of optimism giving way to deadlock. At one stage, the sides were “80 percent” toward an understanding before unresolved political decisions derailed progress, one source said.

Pakistan played a central mediating role, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirming that efforts to bridge differences are ongoing. Officials said communication between Tehran and Washington continues through intermediaries, even after the formal talks ended.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that Iran had reached out seeking a deal, though this could not be independently verified. A White House spokesperson reiterated that Washington’s position remains unchanged, particularly its demand that Iran abandon any pathway to nuclear weapons.

Iranian officials signaled deep mistrust, citing past negotiations and subsequent military actions, while also indicating willingness to continue discussions under defined conditions.The Strait of Hormuz remains a central point of contention, with Iran asserting control over the waterway and the United States insisting on restoring unrestricted navigation.

The dispute has had significant implications for global energy markets, contributing to volatility and supply concerns.Mediators, including Pakistani officials and regional diplomats, have continued backchannel communications in an effort to revive talks.

Both sides face mounting pressure to de-escalate, with economic costs rising and broader geopolitical risks intensifying.

Two Pakistani officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Islamabad has offered to again facilitate negotiations, although the final venue would depend on whether Washington or Tehran request an alternative location.

They described the initial round of talks as part of an ongoing diplomatic process rather than a one-off effort.The proposal follows marathon negotiations held on April 12 that ended without a breakthrough but were marked by what U.S. Vice President JD Vance described as “some progress,” particularly on Washington’s demands regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

In an interview with Fox News, Vance said Iranian negotiators had moved closer to U.S. positions on the removal of nuclear material and mechanisms to prevent future uranium enrichment, but were unable to finalize a deal, suggesting decisions may require approval from authorities in Tehran.

“There really is, I think, a grand deal to be had here,” Vance said, adding that the next step rests with Iran.The White House did not confirm whether preparations for a second round are underway. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that U.S. negotiating positions remain unchanged and pointed to increased pressure on Iran following the implementation of a U.S. naval blockade.

Multiple sources familiar with the discussions said both sides are considering further in-person talks aimed at reaching an agreement before the ceasefire expires next week. While Islamabad remains a leading candidate to host the meeting, other locations such as Geneva are also under consideration, with timing still undecided but potentially within days.

A diplomat involved in mediation efforts said there is growing alignment on holding another round, though details on the level of representation and agenda remain unresolved.U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier that Iran had reached out seeking a deal, underscoring continued engagement between the two sides even as tensions persist.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News on Monday, Vance said the United States had clearly defined its “red lines” during negotiations held over the weekend in Pakistan, where he led a U.S. delegation in discussions with Iranian officials.“I really think the ball is in the Iranian court, because we put a lot on the table,” Vance said, adding that the U.S. position leaves no room for flexibility on key issues.

He identified two core demands: U.S. control over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and the establishment of a robust verification mechanism to ensure Tehran does not develop nuclear weapons capability. “It’s one thing for the Iranians to say that they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon.

It’s another thing for us to put in place the mechanism to ensure that’s not going to happen,” he said.The talks in Islamabad marked the highest-level engagement between the two sides in years but ended without an agreement to halt the more than five-week conflict involving U.S. and Israeli forces against Iran.

Vance said that, as part of a two-week ceasefire agreed last week, Washington also expects Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route that has been effectively closed by Iranian forces.

Despite the lack of a deal, both sides have indicated a willingness to continue discussions, with diplomatic efforts ongoing through intermediaries to prevent further escalation.

The U.S. delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance and including special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner, was en route to the Pakistani capital after a stop in Paris. The Iranian side, headed by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, arrived on Friday.

Qalibaf said Iran did not trust the United States based on past negotiations and warned that talks would not proceed unless Washington fulfilled earlier commitments, including unblocking Iranian assets and securing a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Iranian officials have linked progress in the talks to developments in the parallel conflict involving Hezbollah, a stance rejected by Washington and its allies.U.S. President Donald Trump said on social media that Iran “has no cards,” adding that Tehran’s leverage was limited to disrupting international waterways.

Vice President Vance, speaking en route, expressed cautious optimism about the negotiations but warned that the U.S. would respond firmly if it perceived bad-faith tactics.The talks come amid a fragile ceasefire announced earlier this week following weeks of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory actions by Tehran.

While the ceasefire has paused direct attacks, it has not resolved Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which continues to disrupt global energy flows.Pakistan imposed extensive security measures in Islamabad ahead of the negotiations, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif describing the meeting as “make-or-break.” Thousands of security personnel were deployed across the city.

Parallel tensions persist in Lebanon, where Israeli operations against Hezbollah have continued despite diplomatic efforts. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called for a ceasefire as a condition for broader negotiations, while Israeli officials have signaled that upcoming talks with Lebanese representatives in Washington would proceed without linking them to a truce.

Iran has also pushed for broader concessions, including the lifting of sanctions and recognition of its authority over transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a proposal that would significantly alter regional power dynamics. While Iranian vessels were reported to be moving freely through the strait, shipping by other nations remains constrained.

The disruption to energy supplies has contributed to inflationary pressures and slowed global economic activity, with analysts warning that the impact could persist even if negotiations lead to a reopening of the route.Iran’s leadership has maintained a firm stance ahead of the talks.

Mojtaba Khamenei said Tehran would seek compensation for wartime damage and hold those responsible accountable.Despite U.S. claims of degrading Iran’s military capabilities, Tehran retains missile and drone capacity and a significant stockpile of highly enriched uranium, underscoring the challenges facing negotiators in reaching a comprehensive agreement.