The U.S., Iran, and intermediary countries reportedly all believe a peace deal remains possible despite talks breaking down over the weekend in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Pakistani, Egyptian, and Turkish mediators are continuing efforts to revive negotiations, with both sides signaling that diplomacy is not yet dead even after a tense 21-hour round of talks failed to produce an agreement, Axios reported Monday.
Officials involved in the discussions said the goal is to narrow remaining gaps before the current ceasefire expires on April 21, raising the possibility of further dialogue in the coming days.
A regional source described the situation as ongoing "bargaining," adding, "We are not in a complete deadlock. The door is not closed yet," according to Axios.
Still, the breakdown highlights deep divisions, particularly over Iran's nuclear program.
The United States has demanded Tehran halt uranium enrichment and surrender its stockpile of highly enriched material, while Iran has pushed for the release of frozen assets and broader sanctions relief.
Vice President JD Vance, who led the U.S. negotiating team, acknowledged the talks were "tough," but left open the possibility that Iran could reconsider.
U.S. officials maintain that a deal remains achievable if Tehran shows greater flexibility and accepts what Washington considers a final offer.
At the same time, the Trump administration is preparing a harder line.
According to officials, President Donald Trump is weighing renewed military strikes if a newly announced U.S. naval blockade fails to force Iran's hand.
The blockade, targeting Iranian oil exports and control of the Strait of Hormuz, is being framed as both a pressure tactic and a negotiating tool.
The stakes are high.
As The New York Times reported, the collapse of talks leaves the administration with stark choices: continue drawn-out negotiations or risk reigniting a broader conflict that has already disrupted global energy markets.
The earlier phase of the war saw extensive U.S. strikes on Iranian military and industrial targets, indicating the threat of escalation.
Analysts note that neither side appears eager to concede.
Iran insists on maintaining its nuclear capabilities as a sovereign right, while the U.S. has taken a firm stance that Tehran must abandon enrichment entirely — a position that has repeatedly stalled past negotiations.
Adding to the complexity, longtime observers of Iran caution that negotiations with the regime are rarely straightforward.
Writing in The Washington Post on Sunday, former CIA officer Mark Fowler argued that Iranian negotiators often treat agreements as starting points rather than final outcomes, frequently revisiting terms even after deals are struck.
That dynamic, combined with rhetoric from both sides, has historically made durable agreements difficult to achieve.
Despite those challenges, some officials believe the current pressure campaign, including military action and economic restrictions, has shifted leverage toward the United States.
Iranian officials, for their part, insist progress was made in Islamabad and suggest a framework for future diplomacy is already taking shape.
Charlie McCarthy ✉
Charlie McCarthy, a writer/editor at Newsmax, has nearly 40 years of experience covering news, sports, and politics.
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