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Apr 12, 2026

Intense 21‑Hour US‑Iran Negotiations in Islamabad Falter Amid Deep‑Rooted Disputes

AI Summary
A massive delegation of Iranian officials and nearly 300 US officials, led by Vice‑President JD Vance, met in Islamabad for a 21‑hour marathon aimed at resolving Iran’s nuclear program, Hormuz shipping rights, and regional security. Experts say the limited time was unrealistic, and key issues—including Israel’s Lebanon offensive, Hormuz governance, and the fate of Iran’s enriched uranium—remain unresolved, leaving the prospect of a lasting agreement uncertain.

Two planes of Iranian negotiators, many from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, arrived in Pakistan to confront a 21‑hour deadline for talks that span two decades of nuclear tension and new strategic concerns such as control of the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. compensation for past attacks.

The United States responded with a delegation that included Vice‑President JD Vance and roughly 300 officials, signaling a recognition that Iran’s seasoned team—featuring figures like Ali Bagheri Kani and former chief negotiator Abbas Araghchi—was well‑prepared.

During the marathon, Vance held multiple conversations with former President Donald Trump and, notably, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Iranian officials claimed the Netanyahu call hardened the U.S. stance, underscoring the delicate diplomatic balance.

Veteran negotiators Robert Malley and Aaron David Miller warned that the time frame was either too long for a mere reiteration of rejected demands or far too short for genuine negotiation, highlighting a strategic misreading of Tehran’s position.

Vance concluded the session by presenting what he described as a “best and final offer,” leaving the door open for further dialogue pending Iranian acceptance.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump signaled an intention to impose a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—a move that could inflate global oil prices and further destabilize the region.

Iran’s objectives included drafting a memorandum of understanding to extend a tentative ceasefire and address three core issues: an end to Israel’s offensive in Lebanon, a governance framework for Hormuz shipping, and the disposition of its highly enriched uranium stockpile, whether through UN‑supervised down‑blending or export to a third party.

Vance emphasized the need for an affirmative Iranian commitment not to pursue a nuclear weapon or the rapid pathways to one, a demand that intersects with ongoing debates about Iran’s sovereign right to enrich uranium—a capability currently null after recent U.S. strikes.

In practice, Iran is already exercising selective control over Hormuz traffic, allowing 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil and 4 million barrels of Saudi oil to pass, a tactic described by an Iranian parliamentarian as a “continuous atomic bomb” that provides strategic depth.

Beyond the diplomatic impasse, Iran confronts severe domestic challenges: hyperinflation approaching triple‑digit levels, an internet blackout threatening economic activity, and a political climate marked by assassination threats. These pressures compound the difficulty of achieving a sustainable peace settlement.