US-Iran war talks live updates: Vice President JD Vance, left, talks to Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir before boarding Air Force Two after attending talks on Iran in Islamabad, April 12, 2026.
US-Iran war talks live updates: The United States and Iran failed to reach an agreement after 21 hours of high-stakes talks in Pakistan over the weekend, with Vice President JD Vance saying that negotiations ended without a breakthrough. “We go back to the United States having not come to an agreement,” Vance told reporters in Islamabad early Sunday, adding that Washington had clearly laid out its position. “We’ve made very clear what our red lines are… and they have chosen not to accept our terms.”…Read More
The negotiations, held in Islamabad, brought together senior officials from both sides, including US special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, and a delegation led by Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf including foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.
The aim was to find a path to end the six-week war in the Middle East, but both sides walked away without agreement, according to Fars news agency, Iran is not planning another round of negotiations with the United States, a source said.
Islamabad talks end without breakthrough
A team of technical experts joined negotiators on Saturday in Islamabad, with talks focusing on key issues such as the Strait of Hormuz, a possible extension of the ceasefire, and phased sanctions relief, according to US and Pakistani officials familiar with the discussions, cited by news agency Bloomberg.
However, these discussions largely sidestepped the core trigger areas the Trump administration has repeatedly flagged before the full-blown Iran war.
‘Final and best offer’ from Washington
Vance stressed that the US had pushed for a firm commitment from Tehran on nuclear weapons.
“We just could not get to a situation where the Iranians were willing to accept our terms,” he said, adding that Washington had been “very flexible and accommodating” during the talks.
“We leave here with a very simple proposal, a method of understanding that is our final and best offer. We’ll see if the Iranians accept it.”
Iran blames ‘unreasonable demands’
Iranian state media offered a sharply different account, blaming Washington for the collapse of talks. According to Press TV, “excessive demands by the US prevented a framework from being reached,” with disagreements centred on “nuclear rights and control over the Strait of Hormuz”.
State broadcaster IRIB echoed that line, saying “unreasonable demands” from the US scuppered the negotiations.
“The Iranian delegation negotiated continuously and intensively for 21 hours… despite various initiatives… the unreasonable demands of the American side prevented the progress of the negotiations. Thus the negotiations ended,” IRIB said.
Tasnim News, citing an informed source, added that Iran “is not in a hurry for negotiations.”
Tensions high, atmosphere volatile
Officials described a tense and fluctuating atmosphere during the talks. “There were mood swings from the two sides and the temperature went up and down during the meeting,” a Pakistani source cited by news agency Reuters said, referring to the first round.
Notably, the Iranian delegation arrived dressed in black, mourning those killed in the war, including late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Strait of Hormuz, a sticking point
The Strait of Hormuz emerged as a central sticking point in the talks, along side the US’ demads over nuclear weapons.
Vance said, “The simple fact is that 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.”
Tehran’s demands reportedly include control over the strait, transit fees, release of frozen assets, war reparations, and a broader regional ceasefire — including in Lebanon.
Washington, meanwhile, is seeking free passage for global shipping and limits on Iran’s nuclear programme to prevent the development of an atomic bomb.
Despite a fragile ceasefire achieved just a week earlier, the failure to secure a deal marks a setback for both sides.
Follow all the updates here:
Apr 12, 2026 1:48:08 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE: A view of Strait of Hormuz after Islamabad talks collapse | Video
A view of the Strait of Hormuz after negotiations between the United States and Iran in Islamabad ended without a breakthrough, leaving one of the world’s most critical waterways at the centre of tensions.
Apr 12, 2026 1:36:01 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE: ‘Persian Gulf name can’t be changed,’ Iran VP slams US war secretary Hegseth
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran’s Vice President for rural affairs, Hosseinzadeh on Sunday criticised US secretary of war Pete Hegseth over the use of the term “Arabian Gulf” instead of “Persian Gulf.”
In a post on X, Hosseinzadeh lashed out at Hegseth, linking the remark to broader tensions following the collapse of talks.
“Are you upset about the failure of your warmongering project? You have every right to be,” he wrote.
“Are you looking to milk the Arab countries? I get it.”
He also addressed regional governments, adding, “Not from you, but I expect my Arab brothers not to spend their money on the delusions of someone who couldn’t defend them.”
“The 2500-year-old name #PersianGulf couldn’t be changed by Alexander’s and Mongol generals, and you’re nothing more than a captain,” he said.
Apr 12, 2026 1:21:23 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Hormuz, ‘overreach’ and nuclear divide: Why US-Iran talks collapsed
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran has said its talks with the United States broke down over key disagreements, pointing to a “gap” on major issues and accusing Washington of overreach.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the collapse came due to differences “over two or three important issues,” adding that the Strait of Hormuz was among the topics discussed.
He blamed “US overreach” for the impasse, but did not directly mention nuclear weapons, even as Iran’s state broadcaster earlier flagged the nuclear programme as a key sticking point, reported the Associated Press.
On the US side, Vice President JD Vance said that nuclear commitments were central to Washington’s position after the 21-hour talks.
“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,” Vance said.
Apr 12, 2026 1:12:21 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: ‘Elevate the language of reason,’ Lebanon PM calls for unity
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has called for unity and restraint, urging citizens to prioritise national interest amid ongoing regional tensions.
In a post on X marking Orthodox Easter, Salam appealed to the public to avoid divisions and stand together.
“I hope that this feast inspires all Lebanese to hold fast to our unity, to steer clear of strife, and to elevate the language of reason and the national interest so that we may together overcome the dangers facing us, and so that stability, peace, and prosperity may prevail throughout Lebanon,” he wrote.
Apr 12, 2026 12:58:05 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: US sought ‘ship insurance, tanker escorts’ in Hormuz Strait, says report
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: The Strait of Hormuz emerged as a key sticking point during the Islamabad negotiations, with Iran accusing the United States of making “excessive demands” on the issue, according Iranian media.
An informed source told Fars News Agency that Washington pushed for terms related to the strategic waterway, which has effectively been shut since the start of the US-Israeli war against Tehran in late February.
“The United States is making excessive demands regarding the Strait of Hormuz,” the source said.
He added that the US appeared to be trying to secure through negotiations what it could not achieve during the conflict.
“It seems that the United States is seeking to achieve through negotiations what it did not achieve during the 40-day war with schemes such as ship insurance, tanker escorts, and other military and economic plots,” the source said.
Apr 12, 2026 12:37:07 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: ‘Seriousness and good faith’ key, says Tehran on failed talks
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran has said its talks with the United States in Islamabad failed to yield results, stressing that progress depended on Washington’s approach at the negotiating table.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the success of the discussions hinged on the “seriousness and good faith of the opposing side” and its willingness to accept Iran’s “legitimate rights and interest,” reported Tasnim news agency.
He also highlighted the growing complexity of the negotiations, noting, “Some new issues, such as the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, were added to these negotiations, each of which has its own complexities”.
Apr 12, 2026 12:16:19 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Over 2,000 children wounded in US-Israeli attacks, says Tehran officials
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: More than 2,000 children have been wounded in US-Israeli attacks on Iran, according to Iranian authorities.
Jafar Miadfar, head of Iran’s emergency department, told Mehr news agency that around 2,115 people under the age of 18 were injured, including 124 children under five and 24 under the age of two, reported Al Jazeera.
He added that about 5,000 women were also wounded, with most of the attacks reported in the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan, Lorestan, Isfahan, Kermanshah and Ilam.
Apr 12, 2026 12:00:30 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Will ceasefire exist after end of two weeks?
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Vance’s comments did not indicate what will happen after the 14-day ceasefire initially agreed to by the US, Iran and Israel, but Pakistani mediators called on the US and Iran to maintain the ceasefire.
“It is imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to ceasefire,” Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said, adding that his country will try to facilitate a new dialogue between Iran and the U.S. in the coming days. (AP)
Apr 12, 2026 11:48:17 AM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran-US talks in Islamabad held via indirect, direct channels, says Report
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: The peace talks were conducted first indirectly through Pakistan and later through direct negotiations between the two sides, official sources said.
The talks began with separate meetings of the US and Iranian delegations with Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday. This was followed by an exchange of messages between the two sides through Pakistani interlocutors, the sources said.
According to sources, the negotiations then moved to direct talks between the visiting delegations, which continued for about two-and-a-half hours in the presence of Pakistani officials. (PTI)
Apr 12, 2026 11:33:02 AM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: No timeline for restoring public internet access in Iran, says report
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran has not set any timeline for restoring public access to the global internet, a senior technology official said on Sunday, even as limited connectivity remains available for some businesses.
“No specific time has been announced for restoring public access to the internet,” said Ali Hakim Javadi, citing security concerns under what he described as “special and wartime conditions,” reported Iran International.
Apr 12, 2026 11:09:45 AM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Tehran says talks covered complex new issues, like Hormuz Strait
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Tehran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said that the latest round of talks also dealt with new and complex issues, including the Strait of Hormuz, a state media report said.
Iran has underlined the role of diplomacy even as talks with the United States failed to produce a deal, saying it remains central to protecting national interests, Press TV reported.
“Diplomacy stands, alongside those defending the homeland ready for all kinds of sacrifices.”
Apr 12, 2026 10:52:31 AM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Tehran says it gave ‘reasonable proposal… Ball in America’s court’
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Tehran has said it has put forward “reasonable” proposals in negotiations with the United States, reportedly placing the onus on Washington to move forward.
“Iran has put forward reasonable initiatives and proposals in the negotiations. The ball is in America’s court to look at the issues realistically,” an informed source told Tasnim news agency.
The source also accused the US of miscalculations, both in the talks and during the conflict, warning that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz would remain unchanged “until the United States agrees to a reasonable agreement”.
“Iran is no hurry,” the source reiterated.
No timeline or venue has been set so far for the next round of possible negotiations, the report added.
Apr 12, 2026 10:40:10 AM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: ‘Diplomacy never ends,’ says Tehran foreign ministry after US talks fail
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the discussions, which lasted up to 24–25 hours, were the longest in the past year, reported Tasmin news agency.
“These negotiations were held after 40 days of imposed war and were held in an atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion. It is natural that we should not have expected from the beginning to reach an agreement within one meeting,” he said. “No one expected that either.”
“Diplomacy never ends,” he said, adding, “This tool is for protecting national interests, and diplomats must perform their duties both in times of war and peace,” the Tasnim report quoted him as saying.
He noted that while both sides “reached an understanding on a number of issues,” there were still “differences of opinion on 2-3 important” matters.
Apr 12, 2026 10:30:24 AM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran flags gaps on key issues as US talks end without deal
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran said its talks with the United States ended without an agreement despite some progress, citing unresolved differences on critical issues.
“We reached understanding on some issues, but on two or three important ones there was distance,” foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said after the discussions on Sunday, adding the talks “did not lead to an agreement,” reported Iran International.
Apr 12, 2026 10:16:22 AM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran delegation leaves Pakistan after talks
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: The Iranian delegation departed Pakistan shortly after multiple rounds of negotiations, according to Mehr news agency, marking the end of the latest round of talks.
Their exit comes hours after US Vice President JD Vance left Islamabad at around 07:08 am local time, after no agreement was reached between Washington and Tehran.
Apr 12, 2026 10:12:42 AM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Air raid sirens sound after missile launch from Lebanon
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Air raid sirens were triggered in Palestinian occupied territories following a missile launch from Lebanon, Iran’s Press TV reported.
Apr 12, 2026 10:07:30 AM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Pakistan’s Asim Munir, Ishaq Dar led ‘intense’ mediation
US Iran war talks LIVE updates: Pakistan said its top leadership, including Army Chief Syed Asim Munir, played a direct role in mediating the latest round of US-Iran talks that ended without a deal.
In a brief statement after the marathon negotiations, deputy PM and foreign minister Ishaq Dar said multiple rounds of discussions were held over the past 24 hours.
“I, along with the Defence Forces Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, helped mediate several rounds of intense and constructive negotiations between the two sides that continued through the last 24 hours and ended this morning,” he said.
He further thanked Washington and Tehran for accepting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s proposal for a ceasefire and recognising Pakistan’s role as a mediator.
The Pakistan-brokered talks marked the first direct, high-level engagement between the two sides since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Apr 12, 2026 10:00:56 AM IST
US Iran war talks LIVE updates: Tehran says ‘noone had expected deal with US in one session’
US Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran has downplayed the collapse of talks with the United States in Islamabad, saying there was never an expectation of reaching an agreement in just one round.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the outcome was not surprising after negotiations stalled on Sunday.
“Naturally, from the beginning we should not have expected to reach an agreement in a single session. No one had such an expectation,” he said, according to state broadcaster IRIB.
He added that Tehran remains engaged diplomatically, expressing confidence that contacts with Pakistan and other regional partners will continue.
Apr 12, 2026 9:56:27 AM IST
US Iran war talks LIVE updates: What did Pakistan say after Islamabad talks failed?
US Iran war talks LIVE updates: Pakistan has called on Iran and the United States to stick to the ceasefire after their talks in Islamabad ended without an agreement.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said it was crucial for both sides to maintain the fragile truce.
“It is imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to ceasefire,” Dar said.
He added that Pakistan will continue its mediating role and will keep facilitating dialogue between Tehran and Washington in the coming days, even as the latest round of talks ended in a deadlock.
Apr 12, 2026 9:54:14 AM IST
US Iran war talks LIVE updates: Vance leaves Pakistan after Islamabad talks end in impasse
US Iran war talks LIVE updates: US Vice President JD Vance left Islamabad early Sunday after negotiations with Iran failed to achieve an agreement.
Vance boarded his government plane at 7:08 am local time, according to a Reutrs reporter travelling with him.
The exit comes after the US said Iran declined to accept its terms on curbing the development of a nuclear weapon, bringing the high-stakes talks to a close without a deal.
Apr 12, 2026 9:50:40 AM IST
US Iran war talks LIVE updates: Islamabad talks fall apart as war enters seventh week
US Iran war talks LIVE updates: Talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad collapsed early Sunday after 21 hours of negotiations failed to produce a peace deal, with Vice President JD Vance saying Tehran refused to accept Washington’s key terms.
Vance said, “The simple fact is that 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,” he told reporters.
The vice president added that he remained in constant touch with US President Donald Trump and senior officials throughout the high-stakes talks.
The collapse comes as the war enters its seventh week, with no immediate breakthrough in sight.
Apr 12, 2026 9:32:42 AM IST
US Iran war talks LIVE updates: Pakistan urges ceasefire commitment amid stalled talks
US Iran war talks LIVE updates: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has stressed the need to sustain the fragile ceasefire following the inconclusive US-Iran talks in Islamabad.
“It is imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to ceasefire,” the minister said, adding that any breakdown could further destabilise the region.