Collapse of U.S.-Iran Peace Negotiations in Islamabad
High-level peace talks in Islamabad between U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian negotiators collapsed on April 12, 2026, without reaching an agreement. After sixteen hours of closed-door meetings, the U.S. delegation departed, blaming Iran's refusal to abandon nuclear ambitions. Iranian state media cited 'excessive demands' from Washington for the failure. The breakdown of these talks directly preceded the announcement of a naval blockade in the Persian Gulf, escalating fears of regional war.