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US Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday that the United States and Iran made significant progress during peace talks in Islamabad, but stopped short of an agreement, leaving the next move to Tehran.

Speaking to Fox News after returning from Pakistan, Vance described the April 11 meeting as the first time the two governments had engaged at such a high level, possibly in the history of Iran's current leadership. "We made a lot of progress," he said, while acknowledging that "the big question from here on out is whether the Iranians will have enough flexibility."

Vance had earlier told reporters in Islamabad that Iran had "moved in the direction of the U.S." during the 21-hour marathon talks, and that it was now up to Tehran to take the discussions forward.

Coverage comparison

Reporting on the talks presented a consistent picture: both sides confirmed that no agreement was reached, and both attributed the failure to unresolved disagreements. However, the emphasis varied across outlets. The Hindu, in two separate reports from Islamabad and New York, focused on the failed outcome and Washington's insistence that Tehran abandon its right to enrich nuclear fuel — a demand Tehran refused. TASS, Russia's state news agency, highlighted Vance's positive framing, quoting him at length about the "progress" made and the historic nature of the meeting.

All three reports agree that the US delegation was led by Vance and the Iranian delegation by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. The talks spanned multiple rounds on April 11, and both sides publicly stated that no long-term solution had been found. Details on a potential new round remain unclear.

Key claims

  • Both US and Iranian officials said the talks produced no agreement, with disagreements preventing a deal.
  • Vance said the meeting was a positive step and that progress was made, citing the unprecedented high-level engagement.
  • Washington demanded that Tehran give up its nuclear fuel-enrichment rights, a condition Tehran declined.
  • Vance credited Iran with "moving in the direction" of the US but said the next move was Iran's to make.
  • Reports also mentioned US plans to impose a maritime blockade on Iran, though this was not confirmed by US officials in the available coverage.

Perspectives

The talks represent a rare high-level contact between the US and Iran, potentially opening a channel for dialogue. Yet the lack of an agreement underscores the deep divisions over Iran's nuclear program. Washington's demand that Iran forgo enrichment rights is a fundamental issue for Tehran, which has long maintained that enrichment is a sovereign right under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Vance's public optimism may reflect an attempt to keep diplomacy alive, but the ball, as he said, remains in Tehran's court. Meanwhile, the reported maritime blockade plan suggests the US is maintaining pressure even as it pursues negotiation.