New Delhi : A US government aircraft carrying senior officials has landed in Islamabad on Saturday afternoon, setting the stage for crucial negotiations with Iran aimed at ending a six-week war that has shaken the Middle East and global economy. The delegation includes Vice President JD Vance, along with special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner, who are leading Washington’s efforts at the talks.
Iran’s delegation, led by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, is in the Pakistani capital for talks to resolve the conflict with the US and Israel, Iran’s foreign ministry said. The Iranian and US delegations are expected to first hold separate meetings with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. After these initial diplomatic engagements, the main round of indirect negotiations is expected to begin.
Even before formal discussions could begin, Iran signalled that the path to negotiations may not be straightforward. Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said talks could not proceed without commitments on Lebanon and the unblocking of Iranian assets. He said Washington had earlier agreed to these terms, adding that Tehran expects those assurances to be honoured.
At the same time, he indicated Iran is open to a deal if the US offers what he described as a “genuine agreement” and grants Iran its rights. US President Donald Trump struck a hard tone ahead of the talks, saying on social media that Iran “has no cards” and accusing it of leveraging international waterways. Iran’s team includes around 70 members, with experts from economic, security and political sectors, along with media and support staff.
Iran has not fully lifted restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, continuing to disrupt global energy flows. At the same time, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has continued, raising questions over whether that front is part of the ceasefire. Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Friday killed 13 members of the country’s state security forces, while Hezbollah responded with rocket fire towards northern Israel.
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