US-Iran Talks Delay as Vance's Islamabad Visit Pauses Over Iran Reply

US Vice President JD Vance’s planned trip to Islamabad was delayed after Tehran did not answer US terms. Local media reported the pause on Tuesday, as talks aimed to end a seven-week war. A ceasefire between the United States and Iran was due to lapse on Wednesday. A US official told the New York Times the trip was not cancelled.

Vance was due to leave on Tuesday morning, with talks set for Wednesday in Islamabad. The same report said diplomacy stayed stalled without an Iranian reply. The visit could restart quickly if Iran responded in a way President Donald Trump accepted. US officials also wanted proof Iran’s negotiators had full authority, the report added.

The Washington Post linked the delay to extra policy meetings for Vance at the White House. Trump also accused Iran of breaching the ceasefire several times on Truth Social early Tuesday. Separately, Trump told CNBC the United States expected a strong outcome from talks. Trump described past US strikes and said Iran lacked options.

Trump told CNBC, "I expect to be bombing because I think that's a better attitude to go in with, he told CNBC's 'Squawk Box'." Trump also said, Well, I don't want to do that. Trump added, "They have to negotiate. And, you know, the one thing I'll say is this: Iran can get themselves on a very good footing. If they make a deal, they can make themselves into a strong nation again, a wonderful nation again,"

As of midday Tuesday US time, Axios said Vance stayed in Washington with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. A US government plane due to fly Witkoff and Kushner from Miami to Islamabad via Europe did not leave. Instead, it took off around noon and flew to Washington. The shift suggested planning stayed fluid.

Trump also said, "I think they have no choice, Trump said when asked about his expectations from the second round of negotiations with Iran. "We've taken out their navy, we've taken out their air force, we've taken out their leaders, he said. We've taken out their leaders, frankly, which does complicate things in one way, but these leaders are much more rational, Trump said. It is regime change, no matter what you want to call it, which is not something I said I was going to do, but I've done it indirectly.

Earlier US-Iran talks on 11 and 12 April did not deliver results for either side. The setback was followed by efforts by host Pakistan to ease tensions. Those steps were meant to support another round of dialogue in Islamabad. For now, the ceasefire timeline and Iran’s response shaped whether Vance’s trip restarted.