Iran has said it is now up to the United States to “earn trust” after high-stakes negotiations in Islamabad ended without an agreement.
Speaking after the talks, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led the Iranian delegation, stated that Washington must now decide whether it can build confidence with Tehran following the inconclusive discussions.
“America has understood our logic and principles, and now it’s time for it to decide whether it can earn our trust or not,” Ghalibaf said in a statement shared on social media.
The negotiations, known as the “Islamabad Talks,” were mediated by Pakistan and lasted around 21 hours, involving multiple rounds of discussions and exchanges of written proposals between the two sides.
Despite what Iranian officials described as “forward-looking initiatives,” Ghalibaf said the US failed to gain Tehran’s trust during this round of talks. He reiterated that while Iran is open to diplomacy, it remains cautious due to past conflicts and unresolved tensions.
On the American side, JD Vance confirmed that no agreement was reached, although he acknowledged that both sides engaged in “substantive discussions.” He added that the lack of progress was more detrimental to Iran than to the US.
Meanwhile, Esmaeil Baghaei noted that while some understanding was achieved on certain issues, major disagreements remained on key points, preventing a final deal.
The talks were part of ongoing efforts to transform a fragile ceasefire into a long-term peace agreement following weeks of conflict that have destabilized the Middle East and impacted global energy markets.
Ghalibaf also expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s role in facilitating the negotiations, calling it a “friendly and brotherly country” and acknowledging its efforts to bring both sides to the table.
While no breakthrough was achieved, both sides have signaled that dialogue may continue, leaving the door open for future negotiations amid ongoing regional tensions.
