US-Iran Diplomacy Continues Despite Pakistan Setback

Analyst sees path forward despite lack of agreement on VP Vance's recent trip

Apr. 12, 2026 at 8:07am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of a solitary government office at night, with warm shadows and a lone bureaucrat working under the glow of a desk lamp, conceptually representing the quiet contemplation and weight of international diplomacy.As US-Iran diplomacy faces setbacks, a lone government official works late into the night, reflecting the complexity and high stakes of this critical geopolitical relationship.Washington Today

Despite the lack of a signed agreement following US Vice President JD Vance's recent trip to Pakistan, foreign policy analyst Michael Kugelman forecasts that diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran will continue, noting that the gridlock in Islamabad does not necessarily spell the end of broader US-Iran engagement.

Why it matters

The US-Iran relationship remains a critical geopolitical issue, with high stakes for regional stability and global security. While the failed Pakistan trip represents a setback, Kugelman's analysis suggests the broader diplomatic process may still yield progress, even if the path forward appears uncertain.

The details

Vance's visit to Pakistan was intended to help broker an agreement between the US and Iran, but he departed without a signed deal. Some have characterized this as a diplomatic failure. However, Kugelman, a prominent foreign policy expert, believes the lack of an agreement in Pakistan does not necessarily derail the overall US-Iran diplomatic efforts.

  • Vance's visit to Pakistan took place in early April 2026.

The players

Michael Kugelman

A foreign policy analyst who specializes in US-Iran relations and South Asian geopolitics.

JD Vance

The current US Vice President, who recently visited Pakistan in an attempt to broker an agreement between the US and Iran.

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What they’re saying

“While US Vice President JD Vance's departure from Pakistan without a signed agreement has been characterised by some as a diplomatic failure, I forecast that diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran will continue.”

— Michael Kugelman, Foreign Policy Analyst

The takeaway

This analysis suggests that despite the setback in Pakistan, the broader US-Iran diplomatic process may still yield progress, underscoring the complex and ongoing nature of this critical geopolitical relationship.