‘Enemy Begets Enemy’: Iran FM Araghchi Says Talks With US Collapsed ‘Inches Away’ From Deal

Last Updated:April 13, 2026, 07:17 IST

Iran says talks in Islamabad collapsed inches from a deal, blaming US 'maximalism' amid disputes over the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear rights.

Iran Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, in his first reaction, has said negotiations with the United States failed “just inches away" from an agreement. His remarks came after high-level talks in Islamabad aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.

In his first public response, Araghchi said the Iranian delegation had engaged in the discussions in good faith. However, he claimed the talks ran into “maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade" at a crucial stage.

‘Good will begets good will’

Araghchi stressed that Iran had approached the negotiations with intent to reach a deal. In a post on X, he said that despite being close to an “Islamabad MoU", the process broke down.

He added that Iran expected a constructive approach from the United States. “Good will begets good will. Enmity begets enmity," he said, signalling frustration over how the talks unfolded.

Islamabad talks end without agreement

JD Vance returned to the United States without securing a deal after several hours of discussions. The negotiations remain stalled, with no clear breakthrough in sight.

Vance said both sides were unable to reach a “satisfactory agreement". He noted that the terms put forward by Washington were not accepted by Iran. “We have not yet reached an agreement acceptable to the Iranian side," he said, highlighting the continued deadlock.

Key issues behind deadlock

The main disagreements centre on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear rights. These issues have become the core obstacles preventing progress in the talks.

Reports indicate that the United States pushed for conditions during the negotiations that it could not achieve during the war. Iran has rejected these demands.

Iran claims US ‘excessive demands’

Iranian media has described the US position as unrealistic. According to reports, the discussions ended without even a basic framework due to what was termed “excessive demands".

Disagreements over the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear policy and other matters continue to block any agreement. For now, both sides have not reached any deal.

News world ‘Enemy Begets Enemy’: Iran FM Araghchi Says Talks With US Collapsed ‘Inches Away’ From Deal

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