After Iran talks falter, the big question is ‘what happens next?’

After Iran Talks Falter, the Big Question is ‘What Happens Next?’

The 21-hour negotiation in Islamabad couldn’t resolve 47 years of conflict between Iran and the United States. Though the talks occurred during a pause in weeks of devastating war, success was never guaranteed. The effort to bridge deep divides on intricate matters—spanning longstanding doubts about Iran’s nuclear ambitions to new challenges posed by its control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz—proved formidable. Closure of the strait has already disrupted global oil and gas trade, creating economic turbulence worldwide.

Both sides had to overcome immense mistrust to make progress. Just a day prior, it wasn’t certain they would even meet. The talks marked a rare breakthrough in a political rivalry that had long been considered unbridgeable. Yet, the outcome left many questions unanswered. What will follow? How will the two-week ceasefire, which halted the brink of war, hold up?

US Vice-President JD Vance, after leaving Islamabad at sunrise, hinted that the delegation had made its “final and best offer.” However, the talks ended without a deal, a development Vance described as “bad news for Iran much more than the United States of America.” Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign ministry criticized the US for “excessive demands and unlawful requests,” while its parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, noted the “opposing side ultimately failed to gain the trust of the Iranian delegation.”

Behind closed doors, the discussions were intense. Pakistani mediators played a key role, but details remain scarce. Vance emphasized the need for Iran to commit to not pursuing nuclear weapons, stating, “We need to see an affirmative commitment that [Iran] will not seek a nuclear weapon and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon.” Iran, however, still insists on its right to enrich uranium, retaining a 440kg stockpile enriched to 60%—a level near weapons-grade.

During the February talks, Iran had offered concessions, including reducing its uranium stockpile. But those efforts didn’t fully satisfy the US, which had already struck it from the rubble of previous air attacks. The country also refused to open the Strait of Hormuz without a new agreement. Both delegations arrived in Islamabad confident in their positions, knowing that failure meant returning to war, despite the human and economic toll.

Historical context suggests that reaching a nuclear deal with the US took 18 months of back-and-forth. Trump’s preference for swift resolutions complicates ongoing talks. As Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged continued dialogue, journalists like Kamran Yousef noted this round was “no breakthrough but no breakdown either.” The path forward remains uncertain, with the world watching closely for the next move.