ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): US Vice President J D Vance has said that the US had not been able to reach an agreement with Iran, after 21 hours of “substantive discussions” under the banner of the “Islamabad Talks”
Addressing a press conference here on Sunday morning, the US Vice President thanked Pakistan’s Prime Minister and Field Marshal Asim Munir, who he said, were excellent hosts.
“If there was any shortcoming in the negotiations, it was not due to the Pakistanis, as they did an excellent job and truly tried to bridge the gap between us and the Iranians and to reach an agreement.”
“We have been in this process for 21 hours now, and several important discussions have taken place with the Iranians. That’s the good news. The bad news is that we haven’t reached any agreement,” said J.D. Vance.
Iran has “chosen not to accept our terms”: Vance
“We have made very clear what our red lines are, what things we are willing to accommodate them on and what things we are not willing to accommodate them on,” said the US vice president, adding that the Iranian delegation had “chosen not to accept our terms”.
JD Vance said: “I do not want to bring all the details before the public because we negotiated privately for 21 hours, and I do not want them to be discussed publicly now. But the truth is that we need a clear and strong assurance that they will not only not acquire nuclear weapons but also not acquire the means by which they can rapidly produce nuclear weapons.”
“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.”
He further said that they discussed all the issues, but once again they could not reach a point where the Iranians would agree to their terms.
“I think we showed enough flexibility, we cooperated to a great extent. The President had instructed us to come here in good faith and try our best to reach an agreement,” Vance said.
Pakistan’s efforts
Pakistan made hectic , sincere and most competent efforts as it got a ceasefire done and got both sides to sit together after decades.
Both sides acknowledged the mediatory role played by FM Ishaq Dar. Around 31 hours of continuous diplomacy involving multiple sessions raised hope for a peace agreement between the two sides.
Lot of ground was covered and there were lot of positives however a it was a complex, complicated and enduring conflict having multiple divergences and external spoilers and detractors also in play.
What has been achieved or not was therefore a play amongst the two, with both also burdened by their domestic audience and long term standing.
Pakistan, however, did an unprecedented effort for global and regional peace.
Statement by US Vice President JD Vance has a glimmer of hope where he has mentioned the offer made during mediation.
The sides have understood where both stand and both should only go forward from there. It isn’t for Pakistan to discuss substantive part of the negotiations as it involves confidentiality and Pakistan’s role was as a mediator.
US Vice President JD Vance and his team later departed for the US from Nur Khan Airbase.
