First Stage of Negotiations with the Ayatollah Regime: Prolonging the Iranian Conflict Reduces the PRC’s Operational Horizon Regarding Taiwan

On April 12, 2026, a U.S. delegation led by Vice President Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and advisor Jared Kushner departed Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, following inconclusive negotiations with Iran.

The central point of disagreement was the ayatollah regime’s unwillingness to commit to abandoning nuclear weapons. The Iranian side insisted on retaining Tehran’s right to control the Strait of Hormuz and to levy transit fees, while the U.S. proposal for joint management of the strait was rejected.

The suspension of negotiations in Pakistan due to Iran’s position signals a continuation of the conflict, the operational consequences of which extend beyond the Middle East. A key dimension of these consequences is the shift in the balance of power in a potential Taiwan scenario.