Iran talks were a major test for JD Vance. How did he do?
Iran talks were a major test for JD Vance. How did he do?
JD Vance, the U.S. vice president, stayed quiet after returning from Islamabad on Sunday, having failed to secure a significant breakthrough in tense negotiations aimed at ending the Iran conflict. The talks, held in the Pakistani capital, stretched for 21 hours but left Washington and Tehran still far apart on critical issues, including Iran’s nuclear program.
Unresolved issues linger
The two nations did not reach a consensus on the fate of Iran’s enriched uranium, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity. Other unresolved topics included reopening the Strait of Hormuz without toll fees, a key demand from former president Donald Trump, and Iran’s pledge to halt financial support for groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.
“We will not submit to any threat,” said Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker who led the delegation. “If they test our resolve once more, we will teach them an even greater lesson.”
Trump’s shifting stance
Despite the lack of progress, the discussions were described as “tough but friendly,” with both sides presenting useful proposals. Vance, however, left Islamabad believing Iran was overplaying its hand, though he remained optimistic about a potential agreement. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian countered by stating, “An agreement with the U.S. will certainly be found if the American government abandons its totalitarianism and respects the rights of the Iranian nation.”
Trump, meanwhile, expressed frustration over the stalemate. On Sunday, he tweeted that the U.S. would impose a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz “effective immediately” to push Iran toward a deal. The military confirmed it would halt all maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports starting Monday.
Vance’s political challenge
For Vance, the negotiations represented a pivotal moment, especially as he prepares for a possible 2028 presidential bid. The war, now in its sixth week, has disrupted the Middle East and driven global oil prices upward. Vance’s mission was complicated by Trump’s inconsistent messaging on the conflict from the outset.
While publicly endorsing the war, Vance has reportedly questioned its military strategy in private. His reputation as an anti-interventionist, a stance popular among Trump’s core supporters, was put to the test during the talks. Trump, in turn, watched a UFC event in Miami while Vance negotiated, alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
The clock is ticking, and a breakthrough appears as distant as ever with the two-week ceasefire deadline approaching. Follow the evolving dynamics of Trump’s second term through North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher’s weekly US Politics Unspun newsletter. UK readers can subscribe here, while others can sign up here.
