Both Iran and the US failed to reach an agreement after 21-hour negotiations in Islamabad after a two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan.

US Vice President JD Vance, who led the US delegation, earlier blamed Iran for not accepting US conditions, including ​curbs on nuclear weapons.

Comments by the US vice president did not indicate what would happen after the 14-day ceasefire initially agreed to by the US, Iran and Israel, but Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called on the US and Iran to maintain the ceasefire.

Spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry, Esmaeil Baghaei, said the talks fell apart over a “gap between our opinions over two or three important issues.”

He told Iran’s state TV that the Strait of Hormuz was among the topics discussed by negotiators.

However, the Iranian official did not mention the nuclear issue as being the main hurdle.

Consultations to continue

The spokesman hinted at continuing consultations with regional countries, according to the IRNA news agency.

“The diplomatic apparatus is a tool for securing, protecting and preserving national interests,” Baghaei told the media.

“Consultations between Iran, Pakistan and friendly and neighbouring countries will continue,” he added.

When asked whether diplomacy has ended, he said, “diplomacy never ends”.

Iran sets red lines

Iran’s state-run news agency reported that three-party talks began after certain Iranian preconditions were met, including a reduction in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon.

Iran’s delegation told state television that it had presented a set of “red lines” during meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, including demands for compensation for damage caused by US-Israeli strikes that triggered the war on February 28, as well as the release of frozen Iranian assets.