Direct talks between the United States and Iran have officially commenced in Islamabad, marking a significant diplomatic development amid heightened regional tensions, state broadcaster PTV News reported on Saturday.
The high-level negotiations bring together senior leadership from both sides, with the United States delegation led by JD Vance. He is accompanied by Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
The Iranian delegation is headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, along with senior officials and technical experts.
Technical Committees Engage as Talks Expand
According to official sources, economic, political, and legal committees from both countries have already held preliminary sessions. Negotiators are now being joined by domain experts, indicating a structured and multi-layered dialogue process.
The talks come at a critical time, following a two-week pause in the US-Israeli war against Iran, which began on February 28. The conflict, which sent shock waves across global markets and destabilized the Middle East, was temporarily halted after Pakistan facilitated a ceasefire on April 8.
Pakistan Positions Itself as Key Mediator
Prior to the formal negotiations, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate meetings with both delegations, reaffirming Pakistan’s role as a neutral facilitator.
During his meeting with the Iranian leadership, PM Shehbaz emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to sustaining diplomatic momentum.
“Pakistan remains committed to playing a constructive role in achieving meaningful outcomes for regional and global peace,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi.
Separate Meeting Held with US Delegation
Prime Minister Shehbaz also met with the US delegation led by Vice President Vance. The discussion focused on advancing dialogue and ensuring long-term regional stability.
According to the PMO, the prime minister:
“Commended both sides for constructive engagement and expressed hope that the Islamabad talks would serve as a stepping stone toward durable peace.”
Pakistan reiterated its willingness to continue facilitating negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
A Rare Diplomatic Moment
These talks are being described as one of the most important diplomatic engagements between the US and Iran in decades, signalling a possible shift toward DE-escalation after months of conflict.
With Islamabad at the centre of global diplomacy, the coming days are expected to be critical in determining whether the dialogue can translate into a lasting agreement.
