Iran says talks near deal before collapse over ‘blockade threats’
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Iran says it was “steps away” from agreement in Islamabad talks with US.
- Tehran claims negotiations collapsed amid shifting demands and blockade threats.
Iran’s Foreign Minister said the country was close to securing an agreement during recent negotiations with the United States in Islamabad, before what he described as escalating demands and threats of blockade derailed the process.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran entered the talks “in good faith” with the aim of ending the war, but faced “excessive demands, constantly shifting goals, and threats of blockade” as discussions progressed.
Read more: Iran says US “double standards” hinder nuclear talks
He said the Iranian delegation was “a few steps away” from reaching an agreement before the talks collapsed.
‘Good faith meets hostility’ narrative
Araghchi argued that diplomacy was undermined by pressure tactics, saying: “Good faith produces good faith, and hostility brings hostility,” in comments posted on social media platform X.
In intensive talks at highest level in 47 years, Iran engaged with U.S in good faith to end war.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 12, 2026
But when just inches away from "Islamabad MoU", we encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade.
Zero lessons earned
Good will begets good will.
Enmity begets enmity.
His remarks reflect Tehran’s position that Washington’s approach made a deal impossible despite early progress in negotiations.
Talks end without agreement
The discussions in Islamabad, mediated through regional channels, ended without a final deal, according to Iranian state media and US officials.
Read more: US oil benchmark jumps 8%, surpasses $100 after failed US-Iran talks
US political figures, including Vice President JD Vance, confirmed that negotiations concluded without agreement on ending the conflict.
Both sides have since traded blame over the breakdown, with no timeline set for a new round of talks.
Ceasefire window remains uncertain
A two-week ceasefire announced earlier this month was intended to create space for a diplomatic breakthrough, but its future remains unclear as tensions persist.
Iranian officials say they remain open to negotiations, but insist that any agreement must respect what they describe as national red lines, including sovereignty and strategic security interests.
