US and Iran talk’s fiasco is no excuse for a return to war
It is disappointing that the high-stakes negotiations between the United States and Iran in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, aimed at ending the war, concluded on Sunday (April 12, 2026), without a deal, casting a fragile two-week ceasefire into doubt.
The failure to reach an agreement, after nearly 21 hours of negotiations, has escalated fears of a return to all-out conflict, with both sides blaming each other.
The absence of a diplomatic step forward means that the ongoing military conflict, which began with US and Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026 could intensify.
The situation remains highly volatile, with both sides, especially in Washington, citing the lack of a deal as justification for continued military action to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
US Vice President JD Vance, who led the US team, after the talks said that Iran failed to accept American terms, which included guarantees against developing nuclear weapons.
And the failure centered on disagreements over Iran’s nuclear program, control of the Strait of Hormuz, and the lifting of sanctions. However, he also said, “We’re negotiating. Whether we make a deal or not makes no difference to me, because we’ve won.”
On the other hand, Iran’s Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who led his country’s delegation along with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, blamed theUS for not winning Iran’s trust despite his team offering “forward-looking initiatives”. He, however, also stated that “diplomacy never ends”.
Meanwhile, Iran’s state media also labeled US demands “unreasonable”. Iran reportedly brought 70 experts and officials to Islamabad centering the talks – analysts say a sign of its earnest intent.
And yet, there are reasons not to give in to despair. A fragile ceasefire between the US, Israel and Iran still holds, despite some sporadic breaches.
As experienced negotiators are attached, it is rare to come to a comprehensive agreement in a first round of talks. A broad view of the meeting’s context is instructive.
In addition, Pakistan also played a consequential and competent role as facilitator. Amid hopes that the two sides will reconvene before the ceasefire expires, Islamabad will not want its high-profile diplomacy to be seen to fail.
The failure of this engagement exacerbates the risk of further war, more shocks to the global energy system and uncertainty over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
All these issues demand a peaceful resolution; there are no legitimate winners from a return to armed conflict.
