US President Donald Trump has declared victory over Iran even as marathon peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, drag on without a deal, highlighting the deep divide between political rhetoric and diplomatic reality.
President Trump said it “makes no difference” whether an agreement is reached, insisting the United States had already “won” militarily — a claim that set the tone for high-stakes talks unfolding in Islamabad.
Behind the scenes, however, negotiations between the United States and Iran have extended into the early hours of Sunday, with a senior White House official confirming bilateral talks are still ongoing after hours of intense discussions.
The meetings, led by US Vice President JD Vance and senior Iranian officials, mark a rare face-to-face engagement between the long-time adversaries, who have historically relied on intermediaries for high-level dialogue.
Despite Pakistani sources claiming the discussions as broadly “positive”, a major sticking point remains unresolved: control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor.
The United States has already begun mine-clearing operations in the area, underlining the strategic urgency of the dispute.
Earlier talks on Saturday ended without a breakthrough, with both sides walking away empty-handed after tense exchanges. Negotiations are now continuing, with mediators working to prevent a complete collapse.
President Trump also warned China against supporting Iran’s war effort, signalling wider geopolitical tensions surrounding the conflict.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “Israel under my leadership will continue to fight Iran’s terror regime and its proxies, unlike Erdogan who accommodates them and massacred his own Kurdish citizens.”
The US-Iran talks come amid a fragile ceasefire and continued violence in parts of the region, particularly in Lebanon, raising concerns that diplomacy may struggle to keep pace with developments on the ground.
Iran has demanded sanctions relief, guarantees against future attacks and influence over key waterways, while the US has pushed for restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program and the reopening of critical shipping routes.
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