U.S. Vice President JD Vance, left, meets with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Islamabad, Pakistan for talks about Iran. AP/PTI(AP04_11_2026_000793B)

High-stakes negotiations between the United States and Iran ended without a breakthrough in Islamabad on Sunday, as US Vice President JD Vance departed for Washington after 24 hours of intensive talks mediated by Pakistan.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Vance acknowledged limited progress but confirmed that the two sides had failed to bridge core differences.

“We’ve had a number of substantive discussions with the Iranians. That’s the good news. The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement, and I think that’s bad news for Iran much more than its bad news for the United States,” he said.

Vance said Washington had clearly outlined its “red lines” and areas of possible compromise, but Tehran declined to accept the terms. – Ujwal Jalali

Iran denies claims that US vessels entered Strait of Hormuz

April 12, 2026 8:59 am

A spokesperson for Iran’s joint military command has denied an earlier claim by the US that two Navy destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz, adding that “initiative over the passage of any vessel rests with the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran”, according to Iran’s state-media. Earlier, the US military said two destroyers transited the Iran-gripped waterway ahead of mine-clearing work, a first since the war began. Iran’s state media, however, said Iran forced a US military ship that was attempting to cross the strait to turn around.

Talks with Iran ended after 21 hours without reaching agreement, says US Vice President Vance

April 12, 2026 8:07 am

US Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday that the Islamabad Talks with Iran failed as the two sides could not bridge the gulf of differences despite hectic efforts spreading more than 21 hours.

Starit of Hormuz

April 12, 2026 8:05 am

As the talks started, the US military said it was “setting the conditions” to start clearing the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is central to the ceasefire talks. The U.S. military said two of its warships had passed through the strait and conditions were being set to clear mines, while Iran’s state media denied any U.S. ships had transited the waterway.