By Special Correspondent
- Tehran says high-level talks were conducted in good faith to end war
- Terms negotiations highest-level engagement between two sides in 47 years
- Iran reiterates: “Goodwill begets goodwill. Enmity begets enmity”
ISLAMABAD: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that Tehran was “just inches away” from sealing an agreement with the United States during intensive high-level negotiations in Islamabad, before the process collapsed at a decisive stage.
In a post on X, he said Iran engaged with the United States in good faith in what he described as the highest-level talks in 47 years, aimed at ending the war and reaching a structured understanding.
In intensive talks at highest level in 47 years, Iran engaged with U.S in good faith to end war.
But when just inches away from “Islamabad MoU”, we encountered maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade.
Zero lessons earned
Good will begets good will.
Enmity begets enmity.— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 12, 2026
He said the two sides were close to finalising what he referred to as an “Islamabad MoU” when the process broke down due to what he called “maximalism, shifting goalposts, and blockade” from the US side.
Araghchi said the negotiations represented an unprecedented diplomatic opening, adding that despite extensive engagement and prolonged discussions, the outcome was reversed at the final stage.
He reiterated that Iran views the collapse as evidence that “goodwill begets goodwill, enmity begets enmity,” signalling that future engagement would depend on mutual respect and consistency in negotiations.
