US Vice President JD Vance has indicated that one of the main reasons no agreement was reached during recent talks with Iranian officials in Pakistan was the limited authority of the Iranian delegation. He suggested that Iran will ultimately determine the next course of action in the conflict, and that the representatives in Islamabad were not empowered to finalize a deal.

Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Vance discussed the outcomes of the US-Iran discussions held last weekend. He noted that while meaningful progress was made and Iran showed movement toward the US position, it was insufficient to conclude an agreement. He emphasized that the responsibility now lies with Iran, stating that the US had clearly outlined its expectations and that “the ball is in their court.”

Vance also implied that final decision-making power likely rests with senior leadership in Tehran, possibly the Supreme Leader. According to him, the Iranian team present at the talks needed to return home to seek approval before committing to any agreement, which contributed to the failure to finalize a deal. The delegation included Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Araghchi presented a contrasting view, claiming that both sides were close to reaching an agreement before circumstances shifted. He stated that the negotiations were conducted in good faith and had nearly resulted in an understanding, but progress was derailed after the US announced a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. He also accused the US of adopting a rigid stance and changing its demands at a critical stage of the talks.