US–Iran Talks Collapse in Islamabad, Ceasefire Hangs in Balance

HARARE – High-stakes negotiations between the United States and Iran have ended without a breakthrough after nearly 21 hours of talks in Islamabad, raising fresh fears over the collapse of a fragile ceasefire and a possible return to conflict. The marathon discussions, hosted by Pakistan, ran from Saturday into early Sunday and were aimed at resolving escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the negotiations covered critical issues, including nuclear activities, sanctions relief, war reparations, and control of the Strait of Hormuz. He noted that both sides exchanged “substantial information and texts,” adding that Iran had used all its diplomatic capacity to defend national interests. However, J.D. Vance confirmed that no agreement had been reached, with the US delegation preparing to return home.

Speaking at a press briefing, Vance said the primary obstacle remains Iran’s nuclear programme.

“The United States requires a clear and long-term commitment from Iran to forgo developing nuclear weapons,” he said, describing the demand as a “red line” set by Donald Trump.

Washington maintains that Tehran must abandon any capability linked to nuclear weapons development, while Iran has consistently defended its right to pursue nuclear technology for civilian purposes.

Vance acknowledged Pakistan’s role in facilitating the talks, saying Islamabad had made significant efforts to bridge differences between the two sides. Analysts say Pakistan’s involvement reflects its unique diplomatic position, maintaining ties across regional and global power blocs. Political analyst Dr. Farzana Shaikh said the talks, despite failing, were still significant.

“The fact that both sides engaged for nearly a full day shows there is still space for diplomacy, even if positions remain far apart,” she said.

The failure to reach an agreement casts uncertainty over the two-week ceasefire that had temporarily eased tensions in the region.

Observers warn that without progress, the situation could deteriorate rapidly. Middle East expert Karim Sadjadpour said the risk of escalation remains high.

“When core issues like nuclear policy and sanctions are unresolved, ceasefires tend to be fragile and short-lived,” he said.

The standoff has broader global implications, particularly for energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz handles a significant share of the world’s oil shipments, and any disruption could trigger sharp price increases. For countries like Zimbabwe, which rely heavily on imported fuel, renewed instability could translate into rising transport costs and inflationary pressure.

With negotiations stalled, attention now turns to whether backchannel diplomacy can revive talks or whether tensions will escalate into renewed confrontation. For now, the ceasefire remains in place but is increasingly fragile.

US Iran talks Islamabad