Iran-US Talks Collapse in Pakistan Over Nuclear Issue
TEHRAN, Iran — Iranians displayed a mix of disappointment and resolve on Sunday after marathon peace talks with the United States in Pakistan ended without agreement, raising fresh concerns about a tenuous regional ceasefire.
The negotiations, which lasted 21 hours, broke down amid mutual recriminations. U.S. officials attributed the failure to Iran's unwillingness to pledge the dismantlement of its nuclear program. Iranian officials, in turn, pointed to unspecified shortcomings on the American side. The collapse came just days before a fragile two-week truce, agreed upon to halt fighting, is set to expire on April 22.
In Tehran, residents gathered outside newsstands and along flag-lined streets, where billboards celebrated Iran's military gains and depicted soldiers hauling a net of tiny U.S. warships and aircraft from the sea. One prominent display declared, "The Strait Remains Closed," underscoring Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments.
Farhad Simia, 43, expressed hope for an end to the violence but stood firm in his support for Iran's position. "I'm against war. I think negotiation is the better path," he said, blaming the...