The United States and Iran failed to reach an agreement after 21 hours of high-stakes talks in Pakistan over the weekend, with US Vice President JD Vance saying that negotiations ended without a breakthrough.
“We go back to the United States having not come to an agreement,” Vance told reporters in Islamabad early Sunday, adding that Washington had clearly laid out its position. “We’ve made very clear what our red lines are… and they have chosen not to accept our terms.”
The negotiations, held in Islamabad, brought together senior officials from both sides, including US special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, and a delegation led by Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf including foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.
The aim was to find a path to end the six-week war in the Middle East, but both sides walked away without agreement, according to Fars news agency, Iran is not planning another round of negotiations with the United States, a source said.
Islamabad talks end without breakthrough
A team of technical experts joined negotiators on Saturday in Islamabad, with talks focusing on key issues such as the Strait of Hormuz, a possible extension of the ceasefire, and phased sanctions relief, according to US and Pakistani officials familiar with the discussions, cited by news agency Bloomberg.
However, these discussions largely sidestepped the core trigger areas the Trump administration has repeatedly flagged before the full-blown Iran war.
‘Final and best offer’ from Washington
Vance stressed that the US had pushed for a firm commitment from Tehran on nuclear weapons.
“We just could not get to a situation where the Iranians were willing to accept our terms,” he said, adding that Washington had been “very flexible and accommodating” during the talks.
“We leave here with a very simple proposal, a method of understanding that is our final and best offer. We’ll see if the Iranians accept it.”
Iran blames ‘unreasonable demands’
Iranian state media offered a sharply different account, blaming Washington for the collapse of talks. According to Press TV, “excessive demands by the US prevented a framework from being reached,” with disagreements centred on “nuclear rights and control over the Strait of Hormuz”.
State broadcaster IRIB echoed that line, saying “unreasonable demands” from the US scuppered the negotiations.
“The Iranian delegation negotiated continuously and intensively for 21 hours… despite various initiatives… the unreasonable demands of the American side prevented the progress of the negotiations. Thus the negotiations ended,” IRIB said.
Tasnim News, citing an informed source, added that Iran “is not in a hurry for negotiations.”
Tensions high, atmosphere volatile
Officials described a tense and fluctuating atmosphere during the talks. “There were mood swings from the two sides and the temperature went up and down during the meeting,” a Pakistani source cited by news agency Reuters said, referring to the first round.
Notably, the Iranian delegation arrived dressed in black, mourning those killed in the war, including late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Strait of Hormuz, a sticking point
The Strait of Hormuz emerged as a central sticking point in the talks, along side the US’ demads over nuclear weapons.
Vance said, “The simple fact is that we need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon.”
Tehran’s demands reportedly include control over the strait, transit fees, release of frozen assets, war reparations, and a broader regional ceasefire — including in Lebanon.
Washington, meanwhile, is seeking free passage for global shipping and limits on Iran’s nuclear programme to prevent the development of an atomic bomb.
Despite a fragile ceasefire achieved just a week earlier, the failure to secure a deal marks a setback for both sides.
Follow all the updates here:
Apr 12, 2026 7:25:11 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iranian President details Putin phone call
In a post on X, the office of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says he spoke with his Russian counterpart, President Vladimir Putin, after negotiations with the US in Pakistan failed.
The two leaders “reviewed latest regional & international developments”, including the status of the ceasefire, the post said. We had earlier reported on Putin making the call.
Russia has long exchanged weapons with Iran and is likely offering satellite support, but it has so far refrained from getting directly involved in the conflict.
Apr 12, 2026 7:21:35 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran gives two choices to the US after Islamabad talks fail
Iran has alleged that the US tried to steal enriched uranium by force near Isfahan “about 2 weeks ago”.
“They lost two C-130 Hercules and several helicopters. You see the picture. So they sent Vance to Islamabad to ask for the same thing politely!” the Iranian embassy in Ghana said in a post on X.
“Mr Trump! Two doors: Door 1: More war, more wreckage, more humiliation, more domestic and international pressure. Door 2: Back to the table, ON OUR TERMS! Both lead to the same place. We are in no hurry,” the post added.
Apr 12, 2026 7:07:08 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Trump posts another statement, claims ‘all’ of Iran’s navy ‘blown up’
In his second lengthy post on Truth Social, Donald Trump slammed Iran for promising to open the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a fifth of the world’s crude oil passes, and “knowingly” failing to deliver.
“They say they put mines in the water, even though all of their Navy, and most of their ‘mine droppers,’ have been completely blown up. They may have done so, but what ship owner would want to take the chance?” Trump said.
Apr 12, 2026 7:03:49 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran releases video of warning US warship trying to enter Strait of Hormuz
Apr 12, 2026 6:41:57 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Trump says any Iranian who ‘fires at US or peaceful vessels’ will be ‘blown to hell’
Donald Trump has threatened Iran that any Iranian who “fires at US or peaceful vessels” in the Strait of Hormuz will be “blown to hell”.
Apr 12, 2026 6:36:48 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Trump says directing the US Navy to intercept ships that have paid a toll to Iran
Donald Trump has said that he is directing the US Navy to intercept ships that have paid a toll to Iran to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Apr 12, 2026 6:28:43 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Donald Trump announces naval blockade of Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump on Sunday said the his country’s Navy would immediately start blockading the Strait of Hormuz and would also interdict every vessel in international waters that had paid a toll to Iran.
Trump made his remarks in a Truth Social post.
Apr 12, 2026 6:22:21 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: EU says ‘salute’ Pakistan for its mediation efforts
The European Union has said that diplomacy is “essential” for finding a peace deal in the West Asian conflict,
“We salute Pakistan for its mediation efforts”, AFP news agency quoted EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni as saying. He added that Brussels would seek to contribute to further peace efforts.
Apr 12, 2026 6:15:30 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iranian diplomatic official denies that peace talks failed over Iran’s nuclear ambitions
In response to comments from US officials that the Islamabad talks collapsed over Iran’s refusal to commit to abandoning a path to a nuclear weapon, an Iranian official quoted by AP said: ″It is false. Iran’s position is clear. Iran is not seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, but it has the right to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. This right is undeniable and must be recognised.″
However, Iran is ready to limit its nuclear activities as part of confidence-building measures, the official said, including enrichment levels.
He did not elaborate on why the talks failed and spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the closed-door discussions.
Apr 12, 2026 6:10:38 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: UAE official says Strait of Hormuz not Iran’s to control
The Strait of Hormuz has never been Iran’s to close or restrict navigation through, says the CEO of the UAE’s state oil giant ADNOC, Sultan Al-Jaber.
In a post on X, he said any disruption would threaten energy, food, and health security worldwide, warning that setting such a precedent would be “dangerous and unacceptable”.
“The world simply cannot afford it and must not allow it,” he added.
Apr 12, 2026 5:50:52 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Putin says ready to help mediate West Asia peace in call with Iranian president
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the Iran-US talks in Islamabad, Russian news agency Interfax reported on Sunday.
Putin was reported as saying that Russia is ready to continue facilitating a settlement in West Asia.
Apr 12, 2026 5:41:43 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Hezbollah claims two attacks on Israeli forces
Hezbollah has said that it has targeted a military vehicle containing a command crew with a drone in the occupied West Bank town of Taybeh.
The group also targeted the Kiryat Shmona barracks in northern Israel with multiple drones, it said in a second statement.
Apr 12, 2026 5:13:54 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Authorities peg death toll in Iran at 3,375
The head of Iran’s Forensic Medicine Organisation, Abbas Masjedi Arani, has said that the authorities have identified the bodies of 3,375 people killed during the US-Israel war on Iran.
In a statement to the Iranian media, Arani said the death toll included 2,875 men and nearly 500 women.
Apr 12, 2026 4:57:44 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iranian academic claims Washington failed to meet targets
In the wake of recent diplomatic friction, an academic expert has suggested that the current stalemate in dialogue with Washington was an anticipated outcome for Tehran. Mohsen Farkhani, an Assistant Professor at Isfahan University, noted that the Iranian leadership remained sceptical of American intentions throughout the mediation process.
Responding to the recent statement by US Vice President JD Vance on the stalling of talks, Farkhani argued that the lack of an agreement does not necessarily constitute a setback for the Islamic Republic.
“This is not bad news for Iran. We expected it. That’s why I’m saying that we have entered these negotiations with deep distrust,” he observed.
The academic further contended that the failure to reach a consensus would ultimately prove more detrimental to Washington’s strategic interests than Tehran’s. He suggested that the US has been unable to secure its primary objectives despite the high-stakes nature of the engagement.
“This is bad news for the US because they are going to lose more. They couldn’t achieve any of their targets in Iran,” Farkhani stated. He further claimed that the American administration’s reliance on third-party intervention was a sign of its own diplomatic urgency, adding, “That’s why they begged Pakistan to mediate these negotiations.”
According to Farkhani, the conduct of the American delegation during the sessions in Islamabad has led to a perception in Tehran that Washington is not genuinely committed to a peaceful resolution.
“Therefore, the Iranian team has realised that Trump’s team are not really serious with these negotiations,” he said, highlighting the significant trust deficit that continues to hamper diplomatic efforts between the two nations.
Apr 12, 2026 4:51:25 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Whole US delegation has left Pakistan
CBS News is reporting that none of the members of the US delegation stayed behind in Pakistan after talks with Iran, with Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff and the technical team all departing Islamabad.
Apr 12, 2026 4:36:52 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Israeli strike kills infant girl in south Lebanon during father’s funeral
Wrapped in bloodied bandages, Aline Saeed, seven, barely survived the Israeli strike on her home in south Lebanon last week. She was there to bury her father as hopes of a truce spread across the region, but a new strike killed her infant sister and other relatives.
The strike on the Saeed family home in the village of Srifa took place on Wednesday, the first day of a US-Iran ceasefire that many in Lebanon hoped would apply to their country, too. Instead, Israeli strikes killed more than 350 across Lebanon and left the Saeed family with four more relatives to bury.
“They said it was a ceasefire. Like all these people, we went up to the village. We went to the casket to read the prayers and walk home… suddenly we felt like a storm was landing right on us,” said Nasser Saeed, Aline’s 64-year-old grandfather, who also survived.
On Sunday, he joined other relatives in the southern port city of Tyre to pick up the bodies wrapped in green cloth. One of them, a fraction of the rest, contained his granddaughter, Taleen, Aline’s sister.
She had not yet turned two.
Apr 12, 2026 4:24:54 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Pope says he is ‘closer than ever’ to Lebanese people
Pope Leo XIV expressed his closeness to the people of Lebanon on Sunday, saying there was a “moral obligation” to protect them while calling on warring parties to seek peace.
Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war last month as Israel pursues the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, with Lebanese authorities reporting that more than 2,000 people have been killed in Israeli strikes.
“I am closer than ever, in these days of sorrow, fear, and unconquerable hope in God, to the beloved Lebanese people,” the pope told the crowd at St Peter’s Square following his Regina Coeli prayer.
“The principle of humanity, inscribed in the conscience of every person and recognised in international law, entails the moral obligation to protect the civilian population from the atrocious effects of war,” he said.
As he has done in the past, without naming the parties, the American pope called on those involved to seek a peaceful resolution.
The comments from the 70-year-old pontiff came as Iran and the United States failed to strike a deal during talks in Pakistan to end the war in the Middle East.
Apr 12, 2026 4:21:07 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Rockets launched from Lebanon towards northern Israel
Al Jazeera has reported that two rockets have been launched from southern Lebanon towards the Upper Galilee in northern Israel.
The Israeli Home Front Command said sirens were activated in the Upper Galilee’s Metula area.
Apr 12, 2026 4:09:17 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Tehran’s internet blackout enters 44th day, NetBlocks says
Iran’s internet blackout entered its 44th day, internet watchdog NetBlocks said on Sunday.
The watchdog declared earlier this month that the blackout now amounts to the longest nationwide internet shutdown on record in any country.
“The human and economic impacts of the extended censorship measure continue to pile up, breaking global records for shutdowns in a connected society,” NetBlocks wrote on X.
Since the US and Israel first struck Iran, Tehran has almost completely blocked the country’s access to the internet.
Apr 12, 2026 4:06:59 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Saudi Arabia says East-West oil pipeline restored to full capacity
The East-West pipeline, used to send oil to the Red Sea for transport, was repaired after an attack, the Saudi Energy Ministry said in a statement Sunday. It said it has a full capacity of about 7 million barrels a day.
The pumping station was attacked on Thursday, affecting about 700,000 barrels of output through the pipeline, which has allowed Saudi Arabia to continue exporting a substantial portion of its oil.
Saudi Aramco operates the pipeline from the Aqaiq oil processing centre near the Persian Gulf to the Yanbu port on the Red Sea, avoiding the Iranian chokepoint on the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. The ministry said the Manila oil field was also repaired, restoring a capacity of around 300,000 barrels a day.
It said work was still underway at another field, Kurais, to restore a capacity of another 300,000 barrels a day.
Apr 12, 2026 4:04:56 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Tehran says key demands include war reparations and controlling Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s First Vice President Reza Aref said Tehran sought US recognition of its control of transit through the Strait of Hormuz in the collapsed Islamabad talks.
Aref said that having “authority in the Strait of Hormuz” and pursuing compensation for the damage caused by US and Israeli strikes in Iran were “the rights of the (Iranian) people.”
“This is our firm commitment to a strong Iran,” he wrote on social media.
Apr 12, 2026 3:52:10 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: UK’s Starmer, Sultan of Oman call on US and Iran to avoid escalation
British PM Keir Starmer and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman have spoken about the faltered peace talks between the US and Iran, and said further escalation should be avoided, a UK spokesperson said.
“They discussed the peace talks held in Pakistan over the weekend and urged both sides to find a way through,” Sophie Clare said in a readout of the call from London.
“It was vital there was a continuation of the ceasefire, and that all parties avoided any further escalation, the leaders agreed.”
Starmer, who just visited the Gulf region and met allies, including Qatar and the UAE, said international partners are continuing to work towards restoring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Apr 12, 2026 3:45:51 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Shrapnel damages home in Israel’s Upper Galilee
Israeli media is reporting damage to a home following the fall of shrapnel from intercepting a drone in the Metula area in the Upper Galilee region.
Apr 12, 2026 3:44:59 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Israel’s Ben-Gvir visits flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound
Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on Sunday, saying he was seeking greater access for Jewish worshippers and drawing condemnation from Jordan.
The compound in Jerusalem’s walled Old City is one of the most sensitive sites in the Middle East. Known to Jews as Temple Mount, it is the most sacred site in Judaism and is Islam’s third-holiest site.
Under a delicate, decades-old arrangement with Muslim authorities, it is administered by a Jordanian religious foundation, and Jews can visit but may not pray there.
Suggestions that Israel would alter the rules have sparked outrage among Muslims and ignited violence in the past.
“Today, I feel like the owner here,” Ben-Gvir said in a video filmed at the site and distributed by his office. “There is still more to do, more to improve. I keep pushing the Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) to do more and more — we must keep rising higher and higher.”
A statement from the Jordanian foreign ministry said it considered Ben-Gvir’s visit to be a violation of the status quo agreement at the site and “a desecration of its sanctity, a condemnable escalation and an unacceptable provocation”.
Ben-Gvir’s spokesman said the minister was seeking greater access and prayer permits for Jewish visitors. He also said that Ben-Gvir had prayed at the site.
Apr 12, 2026 3:25:23 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: More Israeli attacks in Southern Lebanon
Al Jazeera is reporting more air raids in southern Lebanon, including in the towns of Bint Jbeil and Siddiqin.
Earlier, the outlet had reported raids on the towns of Haniya in the Tyre district and Shaitiya, also in southern Lebanon.
Apr 12, 2026 3:05:21 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Hezbollah denies link to cell accused of planning Damascus attack
Hezbollah denied on Sunday any link to a cell accused by Syrian authorities of planning an attack on a religious figure in Damascus, saying it conducts no activity in the country.
Syria’s interior ministry said Saturday that security forces had arrested a woman attempting to plant an explosive device in front of a house belonging to an unidentified religious figure in the Bab Touma area of the Syrian capital.
Security forces dismantled the device and arrested five members of the cell, a ministry statement said.
According to initial investigations, the cell was linked to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and “its members received specialised military training abroad”, the ministry added.
But the Iran-backed movement denied the ministry’s claims on Sunday, saying they were “false and fabricated”.
Hezbollah said it has “no activity, no ties and no relationship with any party in Syria, and has no presence on Syrian soil”.
The group called on Syrian authorities “to conduct a thorough investigation before making accusations without evidence”.
It blamed “the presence of intelligence services” on Syrian soil that it said were “seeking to inflame tensions between Lebanon and Syria”.
Apr 12, 2026 2:58:22 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran’s ex-FM Zarif blames talks failure on US push to ‘dictate’ terms
Former Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif said on social media that it was “not too late” for the United States to learn that it “can’t dictate terms to Iran.”
Zarif was in office when the United States reached its nuclear deal with Iran in 2015. Donald Trump dispensed with that agreement in 2018.
Apr 12, 2026 2:54:08 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Israeli air raids target towns in southern Lebanon
Al Jazeera is reporting that Israel has launched air raids on the towns of Haniya in the Tyre district and Shaitiya, both located in southern Lebanon.
Apr 12, 2026 2:52:49 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Turkish politicians condemn Israel’s criticism of Erdogan
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday criticised Turkish President Recep Tayyip in a post on X in which he wrote: “Israel under my leadership will continue to fight Iran’s terror regime and its proxies, unlike Erdogan, who accommodates them and massacres his own Kurdish citizens.”
In response, Omer Celik, spokesperson of the ruling Islamic-oriented Justice and Development Party, or AKP, said Sunday that Israel’s comments aimed to sabotage the peace talks in Pakistan, foment unrest among the Kurdish minority and pit Turkey against Iran.
Numan Kurtulmus, the speaker of Turkey’s parliament, called Netanyahu “the ringleader terrorist of the 21st century’s massacre and terror network.”
“The audacity of someone whose hands are stained with children’s blood — someone pursued by international law — to presume to lecture Turkey on morality is merely an indicator of his efforts to cover up his own crimes against humanity, and it holds no validity whatsoever,” Kurtulmus said.
Apr 12, 2026 2:49:24 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran’s Parliament Speaker thanks Pakistan
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, in his first official statement since the Islamabad talks ended, thanked Pakistan.
“I am also grateful for the efforts of our friendly and brotherly country, Pakistan, in facilitating the process of these negotiations, and I send my regards to the people of Pakistan,” he wrote on X.
Apr 12, 2026 2:42:07 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran parliament speaker says US ‘unable’ to gain Tehran’s trust in talks
Iran’s Parliamentary Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said on Sunday that his country’s delegation raised “forward-looking” initiatives during negotiations in Pakistan’s Islamabad, but the US failed to gain the trust of the delegation in the talks.
“The US has understood Iran’s logic and principles and it’s time for them to decide whether they can earn our trust or not,” Ghalibaf, who was among Iran’s negotiating team, said in a post on X.
Apr 12, 2026 2:32:17 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran hopes to restore most of its refining capability in 2 months
Iran is pushing to restore its damaged refining and distribution facilities to about 70 to 80 percent of prior capacity over the next two months, Deputy Minister of Oil Mohammad Sadegh Azimifar has said.
Speaking to the SNN news agency, Azimifar said Iran’s refineries, transmission lines, oil depots and aircraft refuelling facilities were “repeatedly attacked in all parts of the country”.
Teams have been deployed to remove debris and replace damaged equipment, including at a refinery on Lavan Island, Azimifar said.
Officials plan to relaunch operations at part of the refinery within the next 10 days, he added.
Apr 12, 2026 2:30:54 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: EAM S Jaishankar meets UAE President in Abu Dhabi
External affairs minister S Jaishankar met UAE President in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
“Deeply honoured to call on the President of the UAE, HH @MohamedBinZayed, in Abu Dhabi today. Conveyed warm greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and our gratitude for ensuring the well-being of the Indian community during the West Asia conflict. Thank him for his guidance on further strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” Jaishankar wrote on X.
Apr 12, 2026 2:16:11 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: UK minister calls stalled US-Iran talks ‘disappointing’
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: The UK has described the stalled US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad as “disappointing,” while calling for continued diplomatic efforts.
Minister Wes Streeting said the lack of a breakthrough was a setback but not the end of the road.
“It’s obviously disappointing that we haven’t yet seen a breakthrough in negotiations and an end to this war in Iran that is a sustainable one,” he told Sky News.
“As ever in diplomacy, you’re failing, until you succeed. So while these talks may not have ended in success, [it] doesn’t mean there isn’t merit in continuing to try,” he added.
Apr 12, 2026 2:09:22 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran aims to restore oil facilities to 70–80% capacity after strikes, says report
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran expects to bring most of its damaged refining and distribution facilities back to 70–80% of pre-attack capacity within one to two months, as recovery efforts continue following strikes on energy infrastructure, Reuters reported.
Deputy Oil Minister Mohammad Sadeq Azimifar said repair work is already underway.
He told the Student News Network that part of the Lavan refinery is expected to resume operations within about 10 days, with other units coming back online in phases.
Apr 12, 2026 2:06:04 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran warns Hormuz Strait to stay shut without ‘realistic’ US stance
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran has reportedly warned that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed unless the United States adopts what it called a “realistic outlook” in negotiations, signalling continued pressure after talks in Islamabad failed.
An Iranian security source told CNN that the situation would not change without a shift in Washington’s approach, adding that Tehran has already demonstrated its ability to enforce restrictions in the strategic waterway.
The source cautioned that any repeat of what it described as US “miscalculations” would be “to America’s detriment”.
Apr 12, 2026 1:48:08 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE: A view of Strait of Hormuz after Islamabad talks collapse | Video
A view of the Strait of Hormuz after negotiations between the United States and Iran in Islamabad ended without a breakthrough, leaving one of the world’s most critical waterways at the centre of tensions.
Apr 12, 2026 1:36:01 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE: ‘Persian Gulf name can’t be changed,’ Iran VP slams US war secretary Hegseth
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran’s Vice President for rural affairs, Hosseinzadeh on Sunday criticised US secretary of war Pete Hegseth over the use of the term “Arabian Gulf” instead of “Persian Gulf.”
In a post on X, Hosseinzadeh lashed out at Hegseth, linking the remark to broader tensions following the collapse of talks.
“Are you upset about the failure of your warmongering project? You have every right to be,” he wrote.
“Are you looking to milk the Arab countries? I get it.”
He also addressed regional governments, adding, “Not from you, but I expect my Arab brothers not to spend their money on the delusions of someone who couldn’t defend them.”
“The 2500-year-old name #PersianGulf couldn’t be changed by Alexander’s and Mongol generals, and you’re nothing more than a captain,” he said.
Apr 12, 2026 1:21:23 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Hormuz, ‘overreach’ and nuclear divide: Why US-Iran talks collapsed
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran has said its talks with the United States broke down over key disagreements, pointing to a “gap” on major issues and accusing Washington of overreach.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the collapse came due to differences “over two or three important issues,” adding that the Strait of Hormuz was among the topics discussed.
He blamed “US overreach” for the impasse, but did not directly mention nuclear weapons, even as Iran’s state broadcaster earlier flagged the nuclear programme as a key sticking point, reported the Associated Press.
On the US side, Vice President JD Vance said that nuclear commitments were central to Washington’s position after the 21-hour talks.
“We need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon,” Vance said.
Apr 12, 2026 1:12:21 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: ‘Elevate the language of reason,’ Lebanon PM calls for unity
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has called for unity and restraint, urging citizens to prioritise national interest amid ongoing regional tensions.
In a post on X marking Orthodox Easter, Salam appealed to the public to avoid divisions and stand together.
“I hope that this feast inspires all Lebanese to hold fast to our unity, to steer clear of strife, and to elevate the language of reason and the national interest so that we may together overcome the dangers facing us, and so that stability, peace, and prosperity may prevail throughout Lebanon,” he wrote.
Apr 12, 2026 12:58:05 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: US sought ‘ship insurance, tanker escorts’ in Hormuz Strait, says report
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: The Strait of Hormuz emerged as a key sticking point during the Islamabad negotiations, with Iran accusing the United States of making “excessive demands” on the issue, according Iranian media.
An informed source told Fars News Agency that Washington pushed for terms related to the strategic waterway, which has effectively been shut since the start of the US-Israeli war against Tehran in late February.
“The United States is making excessive demands regarding the Strait of Hormuz,” the source said.
He added that the US appeared to be trying to secure through negotiations what it could not achieve during the conflict.
“It seems that the United States is seeking to achieve through negotiations what it did not achieve during the 40-day war with schemes such as ship insurance, tanker escorts, and other military and economic plots,” the source said.
Apr 12, 2026 12:37:07 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: ‘Seriousness and good faith’ key, says Tehran on failed talks
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran has said its talks with the United States in Islamabad failed to yield results, stressing that progress depended on Washington’s approach at the negotiating table.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the success of the discussions hinged on the “seriousness and good faith of the opposing side” and its willingness to accept Iran’s “legitimate rights and interest,” reported Tasnim news agency.
He also highlighted the growing complexity of the negotiations, noting, “Some new issues, such as the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, were added to these negotiations, each of which has its own complexities”.
Apr 12, 2026 12:16:19 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Over 2,000 children wounded in US-Israeli attacks, says Tehran officials
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: More than 2,000 children have been wounded in US-Israeli attacks on Iran, according to Iranian authorities.
Jafar Miadfar, head of Iran’s emergency department, told Mehr news agency that around 2,115 people under the age of 18 were injured, including 124 children under five and 24 under the age of two, reported Al Jazeera.
He added that about 5,000 women were also wounded, with most of the attacks reported in the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan, Lorestan, Isfahan, Kermanshah and Ilam.
Apr 12, 2026 12:00:30 PM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Will ceasefire exist after end of two weeks?
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Vance’s comments did not indicate what will happen after the 14-day ceasefire initially agreed to by the US, Iran and Israel, but Pakistani mediators called on the US and Iran to maintain the ceasefire.
“It is imperative that the parties continue to uphold their commitment to ceasefire,” Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said, adding that his country will try to facilitate a new dialogue between Iran and the U.S. in the coming days. (AP)
Apr 12, 2026 11:48:17 AM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran-US talks in Islamabad held via indirect, direct channels, says Report
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: The peace talks were conducted first indirectly through Pakistan and later through direct negotiations between the two sides, official sources said.
The talks began with separate meetings of the US and Iranian delegations with Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday. This was followed by an exchange of messages between the two sides through Pakistani interlocutors, the sources said.
According to sources, the negotiations then moved to direct talks between the visiting delegations, which continued for about two-and-a-half hours in the presence of Pakistani officials. (PTI)
Apr 12, 2026 11:33:02 AM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: No timeline for restoring public internet access in Iran, says report
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran has not set any timeline for restoring public access to the global internet, a senior technology official said on Sunday, even as limited connectivity remains available for some businesses.
“No specific time has been announced for restoring public access to the internet,” said Ali Hakim Javadi, citing security concerns under what he described as “special and wartime conditions,” reported Iran International.
Apr 12, 2026 11:09:45 AM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Tehran says talks covered complex new issues, like Hormuz Strait
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Tehran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said that the latest round of talks also dealt with new and complex issues, including the Strait of Hormuz, a state media report said.
Iran has underlined the role of diplomacy even as talks with the United States failed to produce a deal, saying it remains central to protecting national interests, Press TV reported.
“Diplomacy stands, alongside those defending the homeland ready for all kinds of sacrifices.”
Apr 12, 2026 10:52:31 AM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Tehran says it gave ‘reasonable proposal… Ball in America’s court’
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Tehran has said it has put forward “reasonable” proposals in negotiations with the United States, reportedly placing the onus on Washington to move forward.
“Iran has put forward reasonable initiatives and proposals in the negotiations. The ball is in America’s court to look at the issues realistically,” an informed source told Tasnim news agency.
The source also accused the US of miscalculations, both in the talks and during the conflict, warning that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz would remain unchanged “until the United States agrees to a reasonable agreement”.
“Iran is no hurry,” the source reiterated.
No timeline or venue has been set so far for the next round of possible negotiations, the report added.
Apr 12, 2026 10:40:10 AM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: ‘Diplomacy never ends,’ says Tehran foreign ministry after US talks fail
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the discussions, which lasted up to 24–25 hours, were the longest in the past year, reported Tasmin news agency.
“These negotiations were held after 40 days of imposed war and were held in an atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion. It is natural that we should not have expected from the beginning to reach an agreement within one meeting,” he said. “No one expected that either.”
“Diplomacy never ends,” he said, adding, “This tool is for protecting national interests, and diplomats must perform their duties both in times of war and peace,” the Tasnim report quoted him as saying.
He noted that while both sides “reached an understanding on a number of issues,” there were still “differences of opinion on 2-3 important” matters.
Apr 12, 2026 10:30:24 AM IST
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran flags gaps on key issues as US talks end without deal
US-Iran war talks LIVE updates: Iran said its talks with the United States ended without an agreement despite some progress, citing unresolved differences on critical issues.
“We reached understanding on some issues, but on two or three important ones there was distance,” foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said after the discussions on Sunday, adding the talks “did not lead to an agreement,” reported Iran International.
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