Islamabad: Pakistan urged the United States and Iran on Sunday to strictly adhere to their ceasefire agreement after talks it mediated here hit a deadlock, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, agencies reported.
In his first comments on the Islamabad negotiations, Dar insisted that both capitals must stand by their promise. Though Pakistan hosted the sessions, the US declared no breakthrough, and Iran decried Washington’s “unreasonable demands.”
The Pakistan Foreign Ministry stated: “I along with the Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff 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. On behalf of Pakistan, I would like to express gratitude to the two sides for appreciating Pakistan’s efforts to help achieve the ceasefire and its mediatory role.” It added: “We hope that the two sides continue with the positive spirit to achieve durable peace and prosperity for the entire region and beyond. It is imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to ceasefire. Pakistan has been and will continue to play its role to facilitate engagement and dialogue between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America in the days to come.”
Major Impasses
Iranian Press TV identified core disputes including the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear entitlements, and connected issues. Lebanon has heightened strains around the ceasefire announced earlier this week, with Israel arguing it doesn’t apply to its Lebanon operations — sparking Iran’s renewed blockade of the Hormuz Strait amid fierce Israeli assaults on Hezbollah.
Statements After Stalemate
US Vice President JD Vance, speaking at a press conference in Islamabad afterward, confirmed no accord was struck. He singled out Iran’s nuclear program as the primary barrier.
“We leave here with a very simple proposal, a method of understanding that is our final and best offer,” Vance stated. “We’ll see if the Iranians accept it. The simple fact is 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.”
Iran countered across outlets. State broadcaster IRIB attributed the collapse to “unreasonable demands” from the United States. The foreign ministry observed that no agreement was expected in a single round following the Sunday breakdown in Islamabad, expressing faith in continued channels via Pakistan.
