‘This likely isn’t over’: Journalists, analysts react to ‘stalemate’ in US-Iran talks

After a marathon 21 hours of high-level talks, delegations from the United States and Iran departed from Islamabad on Sunday morning without reaching an agreement.

The Islamabad Talks had the world, especially the Middle East, hoping that the 40-day US-Iran war would come to a permanent end. Both countries had agreed to a two-week ceasefire earlier this week, with Pakistan playing a key diplomatic role.

However, speaking to the media earlier today, US Vice President JD Vance said: “The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement, and I think that’s bad news for Iran much more than it’s bad news for the United States of America.”

“So we go back to the United States, having not come to an agreement. We’ve made very clear what our red lines are.” He also cited shortcomings in the talks, saying that Tehran had chosen not to accept American terms, including the building of nuclear weapons.

On the other hand, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said that “excessive” US demands had hindered an agreement.

“The success of this diplomatic process depends on the seriousness and good faith of the opposing side, refraining from excessive demands and unlawful requests, and the acceptance of Iran’s legitimate rights and interests,” wrote Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei in an X post.

He added that the delegations had reached an “understanding” on several issues; however, Baqaei stated that “on 2-3 important issues, views were far apart, and ultimately, the talks did not lead to an agreement”.

Here’s what analysts and journalists are saying about the latest developments:

In a post on X, Michael Kugelman, a Washington-based scholar of South Asian affairs, said the talks likely weren’t over. “More talks could come, but it’s unclear if they’ll be in Pakistan or........

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