US and Iran Come Close to Deal Multiple Times in Recent Years

US-Iran Talks Stall on 100th Day of Conflict

The United States and Iran have held several high-level talks since launching strikes on Tehran on February 28, but a peace agreement remains elusive. On April 11 and 12, representatives from the two countries met in Islamabad for the first direct talks since the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran.

The US delegation was led by Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, while Iranian negotiators included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Ali Bagheri Kani. Ahead of the talks, Ghalibaf stated that for Iran, a ceasefire by Israel in Lebanon and the unfreezing of Iranian assets abroad were non-negotiables.

The talks reportedly lasted 21 hours, with Vance stating that while there had been substantive discussions, no agreement was reached. The US delegation decided to wrap up, citing Washington’s “final and best offer” for Iran not being accepted. Vance emphasized the need for an affirmative commitment from Iran regarding its nuclear program.

Iran has been accused of preparing to build nuclear weapons, with Israel and other Western countries arguing that the 60% enrichment level achieved is above what is needed for a civilian nuclear energy program. The US wants this stock of uranium to be handed over, but Iran rejects it.

Since the talks in Islamabad, there have been several flare-ups, escalating fears that full-scale fighting could resume. Despite these setbacks, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif described the talks as “a make-or-break moment for lasting peace.” However, no direct talks have taken place since then.

The conflict began with Operation Epic Fury, a joint campaign waged by the US and Israel against Iran at the end of February. Iran retaliated by attacking both Israel and US military assets in the Gulf. Armed hostilities largely subsided after a temporary Pakistan-mediated ceasefire on April 8.

Source: Al Jazeera