Why the US‑Iran talks in Islamabad failed: Nuclear program, sanctions, Hormuz

Several unresolved issues prevented the United States and Iran from reaching a deal during landmark talks in Islamabad over the weekend, despite a 14‑day ceasefire brokered by Pakistan. US Vice President JD Vance described the 16‑hour discussions as “substantive,” but gaps over Iran’s nuclear programme, uranium enrichment, the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief and frozen assets proved insurmountable. The negotiations, the highest‑level bilateral engagement since 1979, ended without an agreement.

Main Gaps

According to Axios, Washington demanded that Iran end all uranium enrichment, dismantle all major nuclear enrichment facilities and hand over its highly enriched uranium. The US also pressed Tehran to cut all funding to Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, and to “fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz without imposing tolls or restrictions.” Another major hurdle was the “scale and timing of sanctions relief, particularly how much of Iran’s frozen financial assets would be released under any agreement.” Vance told reporters before departing that the US sought a commitment that Iran would not seek a nuclear weapon, but “unfortunately, we were unable to make any headway.”

Trump: 95% Agreement, But Iran Wants Nukes

President Donald Trump confirmed that his team focused on Iran’s nuclear programme, saying “we got just about every point we needed except for the fact that they refuse to give up their nuclear ambition.” He announced a naval blockade of Iran, describing the talks as “really a good meeting” with 95% agreement on issues, but “one problem … they want to have nuclear weapons.” Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said it was now time for Washington to decide whether it could “earn” Tehran’s trust. The war that began on 28 February has killed more than 3,300 people before the fragile ceasefire.