US-Iran Marathon Ceasefire Talks Pause After 14 Hours, Set to Resume Sept. 12

Overnight ceasefire talks between the US and Iran were paused early Sept. 12 after a 14-hour marathon session. Iran said the two sides still have differences but will continue negotiations. The US had not commented as of publication.

Iran's government wrote on X on Sept. 12 that talks with the US, held under Pakistani mediation, ended after 14 hours. Working-level teams are now exchanging technical documents. Some differences remain, but negotiations will continue, it added.

The two sides are locked in disagreements over reopening the Strait of Hormuz and a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israel has continued its attacks, according to reports. Iranian media reported that the talks ended with some serious differences still unresolved.

Iran's state media, citing its reporters, said the two sides will resume negotiations on Sept. 12.

Reuters reported that the US and Iran began talks at about 5:30 p.m. the previous day in Pakistan and completed three rounds of negotiations, with breaks in between. The third round ended at about 3 a.m. on Sept. 12.

The US delegation is led by Vice President JD Vance. It also includes Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, and Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy to the Middle East. Iran's team includes Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

As the talks continued, US Central Command said it had begun creating conditions for mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz. It also announced that two US Navy guided-missile destroyers had passed through the waterway.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded by warning that warships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz would face a strong response, raising tensions between the two sides.

Lee Seul-gi, Hankyung.com reporter seulkee@hankyung.com