Pakistan urges continued ceasefire as US–Iran talks end without agreement after 21 hours

• FM Dar calls for continued adherence to ceasefire by both sides, reaffirming Pakistan’s role as facilitator in Washington–Tehran dialogue

• Talks described as ‘substantive’ but fail to bridge key differences as JD Vance says Iran rejected US terms after marathon negotiations

• US insists on firm guarantee over Iran’s nuclear programme, lauding Pakistan for ‘incredible hosting’ and mediation efforts

• US, Iran delegations depart Islamabad; both sides reached understanding on several points, but ‘views far apart’ on two to three issues

• Iran says success of diplomacy depends on ‘good faith’ of counterpart, insisting will never compromise on national interest

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ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday urged the United States and Iran to remain committed to the ceasefire, following the conclusion of historic face-to-face talks in Islamabad that ended without an agreement after 21 hours of intensive negotiations.

Addressing a press conference after the talks, Dar said it was “imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to the ceasefire,” stressing the need for sustained diplomatic engagement to preserve momentum for peace.

#PakistanTV #Exclusive

Official statement of Deputy Prime Minsiter Ishaq Dar on US-Iran negotiations. Pakistan expresses gratitude to US, Iran for appreciating Pakistan's efforts to help achieve the ceasefire.@MIshaqDar50@ForeignOfficePk#IslamabadTalks #Ceasefire… pic.twitter.com/YTu7ThRWro

— Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) April 12, 2026

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to continue playing a facilitative role in promoting dialogue between Washington and Tehran, expressing hope that both sides would “continue with the positive spirit to achieve durable peace and prosperity for the entire region and beyond.”

The foreign minister thanked Iran and the United States for responding to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ceasefire call and for accepting Pakistan’s invitation to the Islamabad Talks.

Dar said he, along with Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, “helped mediate several rounds of intense and constructive negotiations between the two sides, which continued over the past 24 hours and concluded this morning.”

Following the breakdown of talks, the US delegation departed Pakistan on Sunday morning after US Vice President JD Vance announced that no agreement had been reached in the negotiations that began on Saturday afternoon.

Iranian state media, including Press TV and Mehr, also reported the departure of the Iranian delegation.

Iranian delegation leaves Islamabad for Tehran after talks with the US ended without a deal.

Follow: https://t.co/mLGcUTS2ei pic.twitter.com/XOsPirOumG

— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) April 12, 2026

Later, Dar shared a video of the delegation’s departure on X, with both sides seen off by the foreign minister, Field Marshal Munir, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

ایران کا وفد اسلام آباد مذاکرات میں شرکت کے بعد روانہ

نائب وزیر اعظم و وزیر خارجہ محمد اسحاق ڈار ،چیف آف آرمی اسٹاف و چیف آف ڈیفنش فورسز، فیلڈ مارشل سید عاصم منیر اور قومی اسمبلی کے سپیکر سردار ایاز صادق، وزیر داخلہ محسن نقوی نے ایرانی وفد کو الوداع کہا۔

ایرانی وفد میں مجلس… pic.twitter.com/tHYzZbuIEU

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) April 12, 2026

‘Substantive Talks, But No Deal’: JD Vance Says Iran Rejected US Terms

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Sunday morning, US Vice President JD Vance said the two sides held “substantive discussions,” calling it the “good news,” but confirmed that no agreement was reached.

#PakistanTV #Exclusive

US Vice-President JD Vance says the US and Iran have not reached an agreement following high-stakes peace talks in Islamabad@JDVance@SEPeaceMissions@jaredkushner@MIshaqDar50@StateDept@ForeignOfficePk#IslamabadTalks #Ceasefire #USIranTalks… pic.twitter.com/mnEiHvNyMA

— Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) April 12, 2026

“The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement, and I think that’s bad news for Iran much more than it’s bad news for the USA,” he said.

Vance said the US had clearly defined its red lines and flexibility, but Iran had “chosen not to accept our terms.”

He appreciated Pakistan’s role in hosting and facilitating the talks, praising Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for being “incredible hosts.”

He clarified that any shortcomings in the negotiations were not due to Pakistan, adding that Islamabad “did an amazing job and really tried to help both sides bridge the gap.”

When asked about Iran’s rejection of US proposals, Vance said he would not disclose full details, noting: “I don’t want to negotiate in public after 21 hours of private discussions.”

He said the US position required an “affirmative commitment” that Iran would not seek nuclear weapons or develop capabilities that could enable rapid weaponisation.

“That is the core goal of the US President, and what we have tried to achieve through these negotiations,” he said.

Vance added that while Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities had been “destroyed,” the key issue remained whether Tehran would demonstrate a long-term commitment to preventing nuclear weapons development.

“We haven’t seen that yet, we hope that we will,” he said.

He further confirmed that discussions also included issues such as frozen Iranian assets, but reiterated that Iran had not agreed to US terms.

Pakistan Played Constructive Role in Talks: JD Vance

During the briefing, US Vice President JD Vance acknowledged Pakistan’s “constructive role” in facilitating the peace talks with Iran.

He reiterated appreciation for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, stating that Pakistan had hosted the negotiations “in an incredible manner.”

Vance said the US was leaving behind what he described as a “best, easy and final proposal” for Iran and would await Tehran’s response.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said in a post on social media that the talks were intensive and wide-ranging, adding that their success depended on the “seriousness and good faith of the opposing side.”