Iran says ‘diplomacy will continue’ despite US Talks setback in Islamabad

Iran has said diplomatic engagement with the United States will continue despite a breakdown in high-level talks held in Islamabad, where 21 hours of negotiations failed to produce an agreement.

Speaking to reporters, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the two sides had reached understanding on several issues, but remained far apart on “two or three important matters,” preventing any final deal.

He noted that the discussions took place in a tense atmosphere following recent conflict and deep mutual mistrust, adding that it was unrealistic to expect a breakthrough in a single round of talks.

Baghaei said that diplomacy remains central to Iran’s approach, saying it “never ends” and continues to serve as a key tool to protect national interests in both wartime and peacetime. He also said new topics had emerged during the discussions, including regional security concerns such as the Strait of Hormuz, which added further complexity to the negotiations.

The spokesperson added that consultations with regional partners, including Pakistan, would continue going forward, stressing that Iran’s diplomatic efforts remain active alongside broader national security considerations. Despite the setback, Tehran insists the door to dialogue is not closed.