April 12, (V7N) – US Vice President JD Vance announced Sunday that negotiations between the United States and Iran had ended without a breakthrough, following 21 hours of intense discussions in Islamabad. Vance indicated that the US had put forward its "final and best offer" and was leaving the door open for Iran to reconsider, but no agreement had been reached.

US Proposal: Vance stated that the United States had presented a "simple" proposal to Iran, focusing on a long-term commitment not to pursue nuclear weapons. “The simple question is, do we see a fundamental commitment of will for the Iranians not to develop a nuclear weapon—not just now, but for the long term?" Vance said. However, the US remained firm on the need for Iran to provide an affirmative commitment not to pursue nuclear arms or the means to quickly acquire them.

Core Disagreement on Nuclear Issue: The main point of contention remained Iran’s nuclear ambitions. While Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, the US and Israel have targeted Iranian nuclear sites in both the current war and in previous years. Vance emphasized that the lack of a clear and sustained commitment from Iran regarding its nuclear program remained a major obstacle.

Diplomatic Challenges: Despite the breakdown in talks, Vance noted that President Donald Trump had been accommodating, urging US negotiators to engage "in good faith" and put forth their best efforts. However, after extensive discussions, Vance confirmed that no significant progress had been made.

Strait of Hormuz: While the nuclear issue dominated the talks, Vance did not specifically address disagreements on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which one-fifth of the world’s oil transits. The reopening of the strait remains another point of contention between the two sides.

US Military Actions: Vance reiterated that the United States had paused attacks with Israel for two weeks, as per the agreed ceasefire, and had remained flexible in its approach during the talks. However, the failure to secure an agreement underscores the ongoing tensions between the two countries.

With talks stalled and no agreement on the horizon, the possibility of continued military action looms large. The US remains resolute in its stance on Iran’s nuclear program, while Tehran has shown little sign of backing down from its position. Diplomatic efforts are likely to continue, but with both sides holding firm, the path to a long-term resolution remains uncertain.

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