U.S. and Iran End Ceasefire Talks Without Agreement, Blame Each Other for Breakdown

Islamabad: The United States and Iran concluded face-to-face negotiations on Sunday without reaching an agreement to end the ongoing conflict, casting doubt on a fragile two-week ceasefire. The talks, which lasted for 21 hours, ended amid mutual accusations regarding the failure to secure a resolution.

U.S. officials attributed the collapse of negotiations to Iran’s unwillingness to commit to abandoning its nuclear program. Conversely, Iranian officials placed the blame on the U.S., failing to specify the exact points of contention. As the 14-day ceasefire approaches its expiration on April 22, neither side has indicated the next steps, while Pakistani mediators have urged all parties to maintain the ceasefire.

Vice President JD Vance emphasized the need for Iran to provide an affirmative commitment against pursuing nuclear weapons, stating, “We need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon.”

Core Disputes

Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who led the Iranian delegation, remarked that it was time for the United States to determine whether it could earn Iran’s trust. He did not elaborate on the specific disputes but indicated that the breakdown was due to two or three key issues, which Iranian officials attributed to U.S. overreach.

Iran has consistently denied any intentions to develop nuclear weapons, asserting its right to a civilian nuclear program. Experts note that while Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium is not weapons-grade, it is only a short technical step away from becoming so.

Since the onset of the conflict on February 28, the war has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 3,000 deaths in Iran, 2,020 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel, and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. The conflict has also severely damaged infrastructure across multiple Middle Eastern countries. Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz has largely disrupted oil and gas exports from the Persian Gulf, leading to soaring energy prices.

New Dialogue?

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced that his country would attempt to facilitate a new dialogue between Iran and the U.S. in the coming days. He stressed the importance of all parties adhering to their commitment to the ceasefire.

The deadlock in negotiations, alongside Vance’s ultimatum for Iran to abandon its nuclear program, mirrored the nuclear talks held in Switzerland in February. Despite President Donald Trump’s assertion that the war aimed to compel Iran to relinquish its nuclear ambitions, both sides appeared to maintain their positions following six weeks of conflict.

While there was no indication of whether talks would resume, Iranian state media reported that Iran was open to continuing discussions. Mohammad Bagher Karami, a Tehran resident, stated, “We have never sought war. But if they try to win what they failed to win on the battlefield through talks, that’s absolutely unacceptable.”

Iran’s 10-Point Proposal

The negotiations began with starkly different proposals from both the U.S. and Iran, reflecting contrasting assumptions about their leverage in ending the war. The ceasefire was already under threat due to deep-seated disagreements and ongoing Israeli attacks against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Iran’s 10-point proposal, presented before the talks, called for a guaranteed end to the war and sought control over the Strait of Hormuz. It also demanded an end to hostilities against Iran’s regional allies, specifically calling for a halt to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah.

Pakistani officials disclosed that the U.S. 15-point proposal included monitoring mechanisms and a rollback of Iran’s nuclear program, along with provisions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s closure of the strait has emerged as a significant strategic advantage in the conflict, with approximately one-fifth of the world’s traded oil typically passing through the waterway.

Mine-Clearing Work

During the negotiations, the U.S. military reported that two destroyers transited the critical waterway in preparation for mine-clearing operations, marking the first such movement since the war began. However, Iran’s state media claimed that the country’s joint military command denied these reports.

Trump stated, “We’re sweeping the strait. Whether we make a deal or not makes no difference to me,” as the talks extended into early Sunday morning.

The impasse raises new concerns regarding ongoing fighting in Lebanon. Israel continued its military strikes after the ceasefire announcement, asserting that the agreement did not apply to that region, a claim contested by Iran and Pakistan.

Israel and Lebanon

Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are set to commence on Tuesday in Washington, as announced by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s office. This follows Israel’s unexpected decision to authorize talks despite the absence of official relations between the two nations. Protests erupted in Beirut on Saturday in response to the planned negotiations.

Israel is seeking to hold Lebanon’s government accountable for disarming Hezbollah, similar to the provisions outlined in a November 2024 ceasefire agreement. However, Hezbollah has historically resisted efforts to diminish its power.

As reported by www.emirates247.com.

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Published on 2026-04-12 15:57:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk