US-Iran talks end without deal; Tehran rejects nuclear condition

Vice President JD Vance walks up a staircase to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for discussions on Iran in Islamabad on Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo-Jacquelyn Martin, Pool)

Negotiations between the United States and Iran ended early Sunday without any agreement after Tehran declined to accept Washington’s conditions aimed at preventing it from developing nuclear weapons, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said.

The third round of direct, face-to-face discussions concluded after 21 hours of intense bargaining, just days after a fragile two-week ceasefire was announced in the ongoing conflict that has entered its seventh week, claiming thousands of lives and disrupting global markets.

Vance said he remained in constant contact with U.S. President Donald Trump and other top officials throughout the negotiations. He stressed that Washington’s primary demand is a clear commitment from Iran not to pursue nuclear weapons or the capability to rapidly develop them.

Despite what he described as good-faith efforts, Vance said the US presented its “final and best offer” and is now waiting to see whether Tehran will accept it.

While Trump had earlier indicated a pause in military action for two weeks, it remains unclear what will happen after that period or whether the ceasefire will hold.

Following the talks, Vance departed Pakistan, although officials said discussions may resume after a break, with technical teams from both sides continuing their engagement. – AP/UNB