US, Iran Teams Meet in Pakistan for Peace Talks Amid Lebanon Ceasefire Demands
Senior officials from the United States and Iran convened in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday to negotiate an end to their ongoing six-week conflict. However, the Iranian delegation cast doubt on the proceedings, insisting that discussions could not commence without assurances regarding Lebanon and sanctions.
High-Level Delegations Arrive in Islamabad
The US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, included President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner. They arrived at an air base in Islamabad aboard two US Air Force planes on Saturday morning. Upon arrival, they were greeted by Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
In contrast, the Iranian delegation, headed by Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi, arrived on Friday. They donned black attire in mourning for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other Iranians who lost their lives in the conflict. According to the Iranian government, they carried personal items belonging to students who were killed during a US bombing of a school adjacent to a military compound.
These talks represent the highest-level US-Iran discussions since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. If face-to-face negotiations occur as anticipated, they would mark the first direct talks since 2015, when a deal was reached regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
Background on US-Iran Relations
The nuclear agreement was abandoned by Trump in 2018 during his first term, a decision that led to heightened tensions. Following this, Khamenei prohibited further direct discussions between US and Iranian officials.
A senior Iranian source indicated that the US had agreed to release frozen assets held in Qatar and other foreign banks, viewing this as a sign of seriousness in the negotiations. The US has not yet issued a statement regarding the unfreezing of assets, and Qatar’s Foreign Ministry has not responded to requests for comment.
Iran is also demanding a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israeli attacks on Hezbollah have resulted in nearly 2,000 casualties since the conflict began in March. Qalibaf emphasized that talks would not commence until these commitments were met.
Ongoing Conflict and Regional Implications
The US and Israel have maintained that the Lebanon campaign is not part of the Iran-US ceasefire agreement. Another Iranian source mentioned that Pakistan would relay an initial US response to Iran’s demands, and direct talks would only begin if Tehran accepts the terms.
The White House has not commented on the Iranian demands. Trump, however, stated on social media that the only reason Iran remains operational is to negotiate a deal, asserting that they have no leverage other than short-term extortion through international waterways.
Vance expressed optimism for a positive outcome but cautioned that any attempts to manipulate the negotiations would be met with resistance from the US negotiating team.
Preliminary discussions have already taken place between Pakistani officials and advance teams from both nations, according to sources in Islamabad. Dar expressed hope that constructive dialogue would lead to a “lasting and durable solution to the conflict.”
Ceasefire and Security Measures
On Tuesday, Trump announced a two-week ceasefire, temporarily halting US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran. However, this has not ended Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has significantly disrupted global energy supplies. Islamabad, with a population of over 2 million, was placed under heightened security measures ahead of the talks, with thousands of paramilitary and army personnel deployed throughout the city.
As the negotiations unfolded, strikes in southern Lebanon continued. Lebanese state media reported ongoing Israeli air activity, including surveillance drones and warplanes breaking the sound barrier over Beirut. Hezbollah claimed to have conducted military operations against Israeli positions on Saturday.
Israeli and Lebanese officials are scheduled to meet in Washington on Tuesday, although conflicting reports have emerged regarding the agenda of those discussions. Lebanon’s presidency indicated that the talks would focus on announcing a ceasefire and establishing a timeline for bilateral negotiations under US mediation. Conversely, Israel’s embassy in Washington stated that the discussions would initiate “formal peace negotiations” and that Israel has declined to discuss a ceasefire with Hezbollah.
Broader Context and Future Considerations
For the negotiations to be successful, it is crucial that both the US and Iran consider the perspectives of their respective allies, according to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chairman of Pakistan’s People’s Party and a former foreign minister. He emphasized the importance of a framework that encompasses all involved parties to facilitate meaningful dialogue.
The conflict escalated following an attack by Israel and the US on February 28, which prompted retaliatory missile strikes from Iran’s regional allies, including Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis. Tehran’s agenda includes the lifting of sanctions that have severely impacted its economy and recognition of its authority over the Strait of Hormuz, where it seeks to control access and collect transit fees.
As the situation develops, disruptions to energy supplies continue to fuel inflation and slow the global economy, with long-lasting effects anticipated even if the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.
The hardline stance taken by Iran’s leadership ahead of the negotiations follows a defiant message from the new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. He stated that Iran would demand compensation for wartime damages, asserting that the aggressors would not go unpunished.
Source: www.arnnewscentre.ae
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Published on 2026-04-11 00:57:00 • By the Editorial Desk
