TEHRAN – Ex-Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, architect of the 2015 nuclear deal, accused the US of torpedoing marathon peace negotiations in Pakistan on April 12 by insisting on “dictated” terms unacceptable to Iran.
“No negotiations with Iran succeed on ‘our/your terms,'” Zarif posted on X, urging Washington to rethink its approach before it’s too late. The 21-hour Islamabad talks between US Vice President J.D. Vance’s team and Iranian delegates ended without breakthrough, despite a fragile two-week ceasefire.
US sources cited Axios claiming Iran demanded control over the Strait of Hormuz and clung to enriched uranium stockpiles. Vance confirmed Iran rejected American proposals, while Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei noted agreements on some issues but stalls on “two or three important” ones.
The conflict erupted February 28 after strikes killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, drawing in Israel and engulfing the region. Uncertainty looms over ceasefire renewal or future talks. Tensions persist as Trump accuses Starmer of lacking support for the conflict, underscoring transatlantic strains over Iran’s nuclear standoff.