Iran and US End Negotiations Without Reaching Agreement
US-Iran talks to resolve the nuclear crisis ended without agreement as Tehran rejected Washington’s flexible terms, while US forces began clearing mines from the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The first diplomatic attempt to resolve the crisis over the intervention in Iran between Tehran and Washington ended without an agreement.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, just before boarding the return flight, was clear. Washington had submitted its final and best proposal, he said, and its terms were fairly flexible.
However, Iran refused to commit to abandoning its nuclear program, which made the agreement impossible.
Different Perspective from Tehran
The Iranians see things differently. The state news agency Tasnim, reporting from Islamabad immediately after the talks concluded, spoke of excessive demands and ambitions from the American side that prevented any common ground.
Officials in Tehran fully blamed the American delegation’s stance for the “failure” and made clear through state media that there is no intention for a new round of talks in the near future.
Ongoing Communication with Trump
Throughout the marathon 21-hour session, J.D. Vance remained in open contact with President Donald Trump.
They spoke at least six to twelve times, according to Vance himself. Although the mobilization was intense, the vice president noted that the news is much worse for Iran than for the U.S., implying the consequences for Tehran of failing to reach an agreement.
The talks had begun with some hope after the initial 15-hour meeting, but the final phase on Sunday confirmed the deep division. J.D. Vance is already traveling back to the United States, leaving behind a Middle East under tension.
U.S. Forces Begin Mine Clearance in the Strait of Hormuz
At the same time, U.S. military forces have begun clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz, as previously announced by Donald Trump.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces started preparations on April 11. Two U.S. Navy destroyers, the USS Frank E. Peterson (DDG 121) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), passed through the Strait of Hormuz and are operating in the Arabian Gulf.
According to CENTCOM’s announcement, the broader mission’s objective is to ensure the strait is completely cleared of mines that had previously been laid by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran.
