Negotiations between Iran and the United States held in Pakistan concluded on Sunday without reaching a deal, with Tehran attributing the breakdown to what it described as “excessive demands” from Washington.
Despite the outcome, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei emphasized that Iran remains committed to pursuing all available avenues, including diplomacy, to protect its national interests and ensure the well-being of its citizens.
Leading the US delegation, Vice President JD Vance confirmed that the discussions failed to produce a peace agreement, pointing to Iran’s refusal to abandon its nuclear programme as a central obstacle.
He added that Tehran had declined what he described as the “final and best offer” put forward by Washington. In contrast, Baqaei noted that while progress had been made on several issues, disagreements persisted on two or three critical points.
Baqaei explained that the negotiations, which began on Saturday morning under Pakistan’s mediation, involved extensive exchanges of messages and draft texts between both sides.
“In the past 24 hours, discussions were held on various dimensions of the main negotiation topics, including the Strait of Hormuz, the nuclear issue, war reparations, lifting of sanctions, and the complete end to the war against Iran and in the region,” Baqaei said.
“The success of this diplomatic process depends on the seriousness and good faith of the opposing side, refraining from excessive demands and unlawful requests, and the acceptance of Iran’s legitimate rights and interests,” he added.
He stressed that it was unrealistic to expect a comprehensive agreement in a single meeting. “No one expected that either.” “We have not forgotten and will not forget the experiences of America’s breaches of promise and malicious acts,” he said. Baqaei also expressed appreciation to Pakistan for hosting the talks and facilitating dialogue.
In a brief address, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the country had enabled several rounds of “intense and constructive” discussions over the previous 24 hours. He voiced cautious optimism, stating that sustained engagement and a positive approach from both parties would be essential to achieving durable peace and regional stability.
Dar added that Pakistan would continue its role in encouraging communication between Tehran and Washington in the coming days. The US delegation, headed by Vance, arrived in Islamabad on Saturday morning, while the Iranian team, led by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqir Ghalibaf, reached the Pakistani capital on Friday night.
The meeting marked the first direct, high-level engagement between Iran and the United States since the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
