Iran talks were a major test for JD Vance. How did he do?

JD Vance, the US vice-president, kept his comments brief upon returning from Islamabad on Sunday, having failed to secure significant progress in critical discussions aimed at resolving the Iran conflict. The extent of progress during the high-level negotiations between the US and Iran in decades was uncertain, with the two sides still far apart on major concerns like Iran’s nuclear program. A US official noted that no consensus emerged on the fate of enriched uranium, a key issue in the talks, though details were shared under anonymity.

Other unresolved matters included the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without toll fees, a priority for former President Donald Trump, and Iran’s commitment to halt financial support for groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Vance presented Tehran with a final proposal on Saturday, but specifics were not disclosed. Despite the challenges, the meeting was described as constructive, with both sides offering viable ideas, according to the US official.

“If the American government abandons its totalitarianism and respects the rights of the Iranian nation, an agreement will certainly be found,” said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, highlighting the tension between the nations.

Meanwhile, Trump expressed frustration over the stalled talks, posting on social media that the US would impose a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz “effective immediately” to push Iran toward a deal. The military announced it would halt all maritime traffic to Iranian ports starting Monday. A two-week ceasefire, agreed last week, now faces imminent expiration, with tensions escalating as the deadline approaches.

JD Vance’s mission in Islamabad was a defining moment for the 41-year-old diplomat, who was entrusted with leading the US delegation alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The war, which has lasted six weeks, has sparked widespread instability across the Middle East and driven up global oil prices. Vance’s approach, though supportive of the conflict publicly, has reportedly reflected private doubts about the military campaign, adding complexity to his role.

Trump’s public interactions during the talks further underscored the political stakes. While Vance negotiated in Islamabad, the president watched a UFC event in Miami with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, another potential contender for the 2028 presidential race. The divergence in strategies between the two leaders has fueled speculation about their differing views on foreign policy. Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker who represented the nation in the talks, remained composed amid Trump’s aggressive stance. “If you fight, we will fight, if you come forward with logic, we will respond with logic,” he declared, vowing not to yield to external pressures.

With time running out and a breakthrough proving elusive, the negotiations highlight the deepening rift between the US and Iran. Vance’s performance in this high-stakes scenario will be closely examined as he prepares for a possible run for the presidency in 2028. Readers can follow the evolving dynamics of Trump’s second term via Anthony Zurcher’s weekly US Politics Unspun newsletter. Sign up here for UK audiences or here for international subscribers.