High-level negotiations between the United States and Iran ended without an agreement after more than 20 hours of discussions in Islamabad, according to officials from both sides.

JD Vance, the Vice President of the United States, stated that the talks failed because Iranian negotiators refused to accept the terms proposed by Washington. According to Vance, the Iranian delegation “chose not to accept the US’s conditions,” preventing the two sides from reaching a final deal.

Iranian officials, however, presented a different explanation. Representatives from Iran described the American demands as “unreasonable” and “excessive,” arguing that the proposed conditions made it difficult for their delegation to move forward with an agreement.

Despite the breakdown in negotiations, Iranian authorities attempted to downplay the setback. Officials suggested that reaching a comprehensive agreement in a single round of talks had always been unlikely, indicating that further discussions might be required before any breakthrough could occur.

The talks, described as historic due to the rare direct negotiations between the two long-time adversaries, were held in the capital of Islamabad and continued from Saturday into early Sunday morning.

Acting as mediator, Pakistan urged both sides to maintain the existing ceasefire and continue diplomatic engagement in order to avoid further escalation in the region.