Vice President JD Vance, speaking in Islamabad after a 21‑hour negotiating session with Iranian officials, said the U.S. and Iran had substantive discussions but did not reach an agreement. He called the lack of a deal “bad news” primarily for Iran, and said the U.S. made clear its red lines — outlining what it could and could not accommodate — but Iran chose not to accept U.S. terms.
Vance said the central U.S. objective was an affirmative, long‑term Iranian commitment not to seek a nuclear weapon or the tools that would enable rapid weaponization. He noted Iran’s prior enrichment facilities had been destroyed, but stressed the need for a durable commitment that Iran will not develop a nuclear weapon now or in the future.
He declined to publicly detail all negotiation specifics, saying he did not want to “negotiate in public” after private talks. Vance confirmed discussions touched on frozen Iranian assets and other issues, but said they could not secure Iranian acceptance of U.S. terms. He described the U.S. as having been “quite flexible” and negotiating in good faith at the direction of President Trump.
Vance said he was in frequent contact with President Trump throughout the talks — “a half dozen times, a dozen times” over 21 hours — as well as with Admiral Cooper, other National Security team members and adviser Scott Bessent. He said the U.S. left with a final, best offer and will see if Iran accepts it. Reporters asked about implications for the Strait of Hormuz and other regional concerns as he concluded his remarks.