US-Iran war: Why did the Islamabad peace talks fail?

The Islamabad peace talks between the U.S. and Iran have failed, with both sides blaming each other for the breakdown. Swasani Haider, The Hindu's diplomatic affairs editor, explains that the core issue lies in irreconcilable positions: Iran demands sanctions relief, nuclear enrichment rights, missile program access, and security guarantees post-war, while the U.S. seeks complete nuclear disarmament, missile restrictions, democratic reforms, and exclusion of Israel from any agreement. A critical obstacle is Israel’s de facto control over U.S. foreign policy, as the U.S. consistently aligns with Israeli interests, undermining trust. Iran’s skepticism is deepened by attacks during negotiations, including the assassination of Khamenei and strikes on schools. Pakistan emerged as a neutral mediator due to its lack of ties with Israel, but even this venue failed as Israel reportedly made a destabilizing phone call during talks. The situation has escalated into a maritime standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides imposing blockades—Iran’s as a strategic weapon, the U.S.’s as a reactive measure. The global impact is severe, especially on small and developing nations in South Asia and the Indian Ocean, which face economic collapse due to disrupted trade, remittances, tourism, and energy shortages. Pakistan’s unexpected role as a mediator highlights a shift in regional diplomacy, while India’s absence from such efforts underscores a strategic vacuum in its foreign policy. The episode concludes with the grim reality that the pre-February 28th status quo of open maritime passage is irreversibly broken, requiring a new multilateral framework for the Hormuz Strait.