By The South Asia Times 

ISLAMABAD - The United States and Iran made "serious progress" during 31 hours of continuous diplomacy in Islamabad, despite failing to reach a final agreement, Pakistani official sources told The South Asia Times on Sunday.

The talks, which concluded without a deal, nevertheless achieved what no other nation had managed in decades: bringing the highest-level officials of both adversarial nations to the same table for direct engagement.

Pakistani officials described their country's mediation as "hectic, sincere, and most competent," emphasizing that Islamabad secured a ceasefire and got both sides to sit together after decades of hostility.

"Pakistan made an unprecedented effort for global and regional peace," an official source said.

The mediation was led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, whose mediatory role was acknowledged by both the US and Iranian sides, according to the sources.

The negotiations involved multiple sessions spanning 31 hours, during which "a lot of ground was covered" and "a lot of positives" emerged, the sources said.

However, they acknowledged the immense challenges: "A complex, complicated, and enduring conflict having multiple divergences and external spoilers and detractors also in play."

The sources emphasized that the outcome was ultimately a matter between the two primary parties: "What has been achieved or not was therefore a play amongst the two, with both also burdened by their domestic audience and long-term standing."

The Pakistani officials pointed to US Vice President JD Vance's public statement as containing a "glimmer of hope."

Vance, speaking after the talks concluded, mentioned "an offer made during mediation" – though he did not elaborate. The Vice President described the discussions as "candid and constructive" and noted that "significant gaps remain" but that a "foundation for continued dialogue" had been established.

According to Pakistani sources, a key achievement of the Islamabad Talks was clarity.

"The sides have understood where both stand," one official said. "And both should only go forward from there."

This mutual understanding, officials believe, provides a roadmap for future negotiations – even if no agreement was signed this weekend.

Pakistani officials declined to discuss the substantive details of the negotiations, citing confidentiality.

"It isn't for Pakistan to discuss the substantive part of the negotiations as it involves confidentiality, and Pakistan's role was as a mediator," the source said.

The Foreign Ministry reiterated Islamabad's commitment to continuing its facilitation role, noting that both sides have expressed willingness to engage in future rounds.

The Pakistani sources also acknowledged the presence of "external spoilers and detractors" working to undermine the peace process – a reference widely understood to include Israel, which has continued military operations in Lebanon despite the US-Iran ceasefire, and other regional actors with interests in maintaining tension between Washington and Tehran.

While no date has been announced for the next round of talks, diplomatic sources suggest the fragile two-week ceasefire may be extended to allow continued negotiations.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei described the talks as taking place in an "atmosphere of distrust and suspicion" following a 40-day war, but expressed appreciation for Pakistan's hosting and mediation efforts.

As one Pakistani official put it: "The door remains open. Pakistan will continue to walk this path with both sides."