Talks in Islamabad between US and Iranian officials have ended without a deal, according to US vice-president JD Vance, who said Iran chose not to accept American terms for an agreement.
Vance said the American side had put forward conditions that included a commitment not to build nuclear weapons. He said the US delegation was leaving Pakistan after failing to reach an agreement with Iran.
The negotiations were part of a wider push to reduce tensions and address the conflict that has disrupted the region and damaged the global economy. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route, has been blocked by Iran since the start of the war, causing major concern for international trade and maritime traffic.
US officials also claimed that Iran is unable to locate mines it had laid in the Strait of Hormuz. The claim adds to the uncertainty surrounding the waterway, which remains central to shipping and energy flows across the region.
UK to host new talks on the Strait of Hormuz
Separately, the UK is set to host a meeting next week focused on the Strait of Hormuz. According to a British official who spoke to the Associated Press, the gathering will bring together multiple countries with the aim of restoring free movement of ships through the strait.
The British official said the meeting will oppose the idea of tolls being charged for passage through the waterway. That proposal had been put forward by Iran as part of ceasefire negotiations.
The Strait of Hormuz has become one of the most sensitive flashpoints in the wider conflict. The planned meeting reflects growing international concern over the blockade and its effects on global shipping.
As the diplomatic effort continues, the failure of the Islamabad talks marks another setback in attempts to reach a conditional peace arrangement. With the US delegation departing and Iran standing by its position, attention now shifts to the upcoming UK-hosted meeting and whether it can make progress on access through the strait.
The latest developments underline how closely the peace talks, maritime security and regional conflict remain linked. For now, there is no agreement, and the dispute over nuclear limits, shipping access and the future of the Strait of Hormuz remains unresolved.
