Former Pakistani information minister and defense analyst Mushahid Hussain Sayed has described U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to blockade the Strait of Hormuz as nothing more than an exaggeration. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Sayed said that control of the strategic waterway effectively lies with Iran, and Trump’s warning would not intimidate or subdue the Iranian side.

Sayed argued that such rhetoric from Washington amounts to bluster rather than a realistic policy move. He added that attempts to pressure Iran through threats have not succeeded in the past 43 days and are unlikely to do so in the near future. His remarks came amid heightened tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.

The interview reflects ongoing regional skepticism about the feasibility of any U.S. naval blockade in the area, with analysts emphasizing Iran’s strong position in controlling the strait.

The recent talks between the United States and Iran did not yield the expected results, but Pakistan continues its diplomatic engagement, according to Qamar Cheema, Executive Director of the Sanober Institute. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Cheema described the discussions as one of the most significant diplomatic efforts of the past decade. He said Iran received a final proposal and its delegation must now consult the country’s top leadership, especially after recent US-Israeli strikes killed several key Iranian figures.

Cheema explained that Pakistan’s role was to bring both sides to the table, reduce mistrust, and rebuild confidence, a task he claimed Pakistan accomplished successfully. Both parties reportedly appreciated Pakistan’s mediation, earning it international recognition. He emphasized that the most important achievement of the process was the ceasefire, calling it the central outcome.

Cheema expressed hope that Iran would soon decide on the proposal and return to the negotiation process, describing the situation as ongoing and the diplomatic efforts as continuing.

The United Kingdom and Australia have voiced deep disappointment after peace talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad ended without any agreement. Senior ministers from both countries described the outcome as unfortunate and urged both sides to return to the negotiating table. The discussions, aimed at resolving a 44-day-long conflict, concluded without progress despite Pakistan’s mediation efforts.

British Health Minister Wes Streeting told Sky News that the breakdown of talks was disappointing, as hopes were high for a sustainable resolution to Iran’s ongoing war. He maintained that diplomatic efforts must continue despite setbacks. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also expressed dissatisfaction, emphasizing that maintaining the ceasefire and resuming dialogue should remain top priorities.

The failure of the talks has heightened global concern amid volatile energy prices and worsening humanitarian conditions. Major powers are reportedly hoping for a lasting ceasefire to stabilize the situation.

The much-anticipated Iran–United States talks in Islamabad ended abruptly without any agreement, creating a major diplomatic deadlock. US Vice President JD Vance announced the failure to reach a deal at a press conference and immediately left Pakistan with his family. The Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, also departed soon after. The sudden breakdown has turned global attention toward President Donald Trump’s response.

The main reason for the impasse was the US reluctance to halt Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, which Iran had made a central issue of the negotiations. Tehran also rejected Washington’s conditions regarding security in the Strait of Hormuz as unacceptable. Pakistan, acting as mediator, urged both sides to keep the dialogue open and extend the ceasefire despite the escalating tensions.

With the talks stalled, the next steps from Washington—particularly Trump’s stance on the failed negotiations and the unstable Middle East situation—have become a key focus in international politics.

The United States and Iran failed to reach an agreement after 21 hours of talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, ending a high-stakes negotiation aimed at easing tensions following recent military clashes. US Vice President J.D. Vance left Pakistan first, followed by the Iranian delegation, as both sides accused each other of causing the breakdown. Vance said Washington’s proposals were rejected by Tehran, particularly on nuclear and regional security issues, and described the US offer as a “final and best” one.

Iran’s state media, Press TV, blamed Washington’s “excessive demands” for the failure, citing sharp disagreements over control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear rights, and other unresolved matters. Iranian negotiators claimed that US-imposed conditions disrupted the normal environment for dialogue.

The Islamabad meeting was arranged through Pakistan’s mediation after over a month of hostilities that began on February 28, when the US and Israel launched attacks in Iran, prompting Iranian strikes on Israeli and US bases in the region. Despite the collapse of this round, both sides had earlier indicated willingness to continue discussions.

An Iranian high-level delegation has departed from Pakistan after a round of talks between Iran and the United States ended without a final agreement, according to Mehr News Agency. The delegation included Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The discussions, held in Islamabad under Pakistan’s mediation, lasted about 21 hours but concluded without a deal.

The talks failed to resolve key issues such as Iran’s nuclear program, regional security, and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. US Vice President JD Vance also left Islamabad, stating that Iran did not accept the conditions proposed by the United States. Sources indicated that while some progress was made, neither side was willing to make final concessions, leaving the outcome as neither a complete failure nor a success.

Pakistan expressed its willingness to continue facilitating dialogue between Iran and the United States in the future, signaling its ongoing role as a mediator in regional diplomacy.

US Vice President JD Vance departed Pakistan after failing to reach an agreement with Iran during high-level talks held in Islamabad. According to AFP, Vance left the Pakistani capital shortly after announcing that the discussions had ended without a deal. He boarded Air Force Two at 7:08 a.m. local time on Sunday, waving goodbye to Pakistani officials before departure.

Vance told a press conference in Islamabad that after 21 hours of negotiations, the United States and Iran could not reach any understanding. He described the outcome as unfortunate and confirmed that the US delegation would leave without a settlement. The talks were described as historic peace discussions involving Pakistan’s mediation efforts.

Before leaving, Vance expressed gratitude to Pakistan’s prime minister and field marshal, acknowledging Pakistan’s significant role in facilitating the talks. He said the US had clearly presented its key conditions to Iran, but Tehran did not agree to them.

US Vice President JD Vance announced early Sunday that after 21 hours of negotiations in Islamabad, the American delegation failed to reach an agreement with Iran and would leave Pakistan. Speaking at a press conference, Vance said he had spoken with President Donald Trump at least six times during the talks. He stated that Iran refused to accept US conditions, including restrictions on nuclear weapons development, and described the outcome as worse for Iran than for the United States.

The Islamabad meeting marked the first direct US-Iran talks in over a decade and the highest-level contact since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. The discussions were expected to influence the fragile two-week ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for about 20 percent of global energy supplies. Iran has kept the strait closed since the conflict began, driving up oil prices and causing heavy casualties.

According to Iranian officials, technical teams will continue exchanging documents despite unresolved differences, though no date was set for resuming talks. Pakistan’s mediation role represented a major diplomatic shift for the country after years of isolation.

US Vice President J.D. Vance announced in Islamabad that 21 hours of historic peace talks between the United States and Iran ended without any agreement. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday morning, April 12, 2026, he confirmed that the US delegation plans to leave Pakistan without a deal, calling the outcome unfortunate. Vance thanked Pakistan’s prime minister and field marshal for their significant role in hosting the discussions.

Vance stated that the US had clearly presented its key conditions to Iran, but Tehran did not accept them. He also said Iran’s nuclear program had been destroyed, though firm commitments were still needed to ensure Iran would not develop nuclear weapons in the future. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei described US demands as excessive and illegal, emphasizing that success depended on Washington’s recognition of Iran’s legitimate rights and interests.

According to reports, the Iranian delegation has already left Pakistan, and the talks stalled over two or three core issues, leaving the future of negotiations uncertain.

Talks between the United States and Iran have entered their second day under Pakistan’s mediation, according to Iran’s Fars News Agency. The discussions, held at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad, have been ongoing for about 15 hours and are set to continue on Sunday. The report indicates that the dialogue remains active at the expert level.

Fars News earlier reported that a previous round of direct talks between Iran and the United States had concluded, and both sides were now exchanging new drafts in the presence of expert teams. The discussions are part of continuing efforts to address unresolved issues between the two countries, though no specific outcomes have been disclosed.

The continuation of talks suggests that both parties are maintaining engagement despite the complexity of the negotiations, with Pakistan playing a facilitating role in the process.

Talks between Iran and the United States in Islamabad aimed at establishing lasting peace in the Middle East have made limited progress, according to sources present in the negotiation room. The discussions cover a wide range of issues including security, diplomacy, and economics, with Washington also raising the issue of prisoner exchanges. Pakistan is reportedly facilitating confidence-building measures between the two sides.

This third round of dialogue is described as being at a critical stage. Iranian sources claim that the U.S. side has shown little flexibility, particularly regarding demands related to the Strait of Hormuz, though Iran has indicated willingness to compromise on some points. Pakistani officials remain hopeful that the talks will yield positive outcomes.

It remains unclear what the final results might be—whether an extension of the ceasefire, continued free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, or a major decision on Iran’s nuclear program. Information from the closed-door meetings is emerging slowly, and no definitive conclusions have yet been confirmed.

Pakistan has prepared to host ceasefire talks between Iran and the United States in Islamabad, deploying security forces and refurbishing city streets ahead of the event. Acting as mediator, Pakistan expressed optimism, claiming it has earned the trust of both sides. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, leading the American delegation, said Washington would cooperate if Iran negotiates sincerely but warned against any deceptive tactics.

The discussions face multiple obstacles, including Israel’s ongoing attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, which Iran says could render talks meaningless. U.S. President Donald Trump noted that Israeli strikes have become less intense and announced upcoming direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington. Another major issue is control of the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has restricted shipping and introduced new transit rules, prompting U.S. criticism.

Additional disputes include Iran’s nuclear program, its regional alliances with groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas, and demands for lifting international sanctions. Iran insists on its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, while the U.S. demands a complete halt. The outcome of these talks remains uncertain as both sides maintain firm positions.

Three Iranian aircraft carrying a 70-member delegation landed at Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, shortly after the start of US-Iran discussions in Islamabad aimed at establishing lasting peace in the Middle East. The planes arrived from Tehran about an hour after the talks began, but the identities of the passengers and the purpose of their visit were not immediately known.

The aircraft belong to Pouya Air, a company known to be linked with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force and Aerospace Force. They reportedly departed from Mehrabad International Airport, which was recently damaged by US and Israeli strikes. Iranian sources told Al Jazeera that as the discussions entered a more detailed phase, some experts from Iran might travel to Pakistan.

The Washington Post earlier reported that the Trump administration planned to request the release of Americans detained in Iran as part of the talks. However, it remains unclear whether the Islamabad discussions or the sudden Iranian flights are connected to any prisoner release negotiations.

Expert-level discussions between Iran and the United States have begun in Islamabad, according to a Pakistani foreign ministry official. The talks are focused on reviewing the technical aspects of proposals exchanged by both sides. The meeting follows earlier high-level discussions held with Pakistani mediators, which two government officials described as positive.

A report from the White House press pool cited a U.S. official confirming that American technical experts are present in Islamabad, supported by additional specialists from Washington. The Iranian delegation includes Central Bank Governor Dr. Nasser Hemmati and other technical experts. The discussions are continuing after four hours, indicating sustained engagement between the two sides.

The talks mark a continuation of diplomatic efforts facilitated by Pakistan, with both delegations emphasizing technical review and expert participation as they explore potential areas of cooperation or resolution.

Security analyst Mohammad Ali told Al Jazeera that a certain level of flexibility has emerged in the ongoing talks between the United States and Iran, attributing this shift to Pakistan’s mediation efforts. He noted that if the current ceasefire continues for a longer period, it would indicate that both sides are unwilling to escalate the conflict further.

Ali explained that while both parties may display strong public postures, the actual discussions at the negotiation table are more pragmatic, as each side remains aware of domestic political pressures. He emphasized that Pakistan has played an important role since the arrival of both delegations, holding separate meetings with each to encourage greater flexibility and to seize what he described as a historic opportunity.

According to Ali, the world is no longer in a position to endure further conflict or tension, particularly given the potential impact on global peace, security, and the energy economy.