US-Iran Peace Talks in Pakistan End Without Agreement, Ceasefire at Risk
The United States and Iran have concluded peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, without reaching an agreement to end their ongoing conflict. The discussions, which lasted 21 hours, were aimed at solidifying a fragile ceasefire that was agreed upon earlier in the week. The talks were the first direct high-level meeting between the two nations in over a decade. Despite the efforts, both sides blamed each other for the failure to reach a consensus. The U.S. delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, emphasized the need for Iran to commit to not developing nuclear weapons, which remains a core goal for the U.S. administration. Iran, on the other hand, described the U.S. demands as excessive, particularly concerning the control of the Strait of Hormuz and its nuclear program. The ceasefire, which began on February 28 following airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iran, remains in place but is under threat due to ongoing tensions. 
