Pakistani-mediated negotiations between Iran and the United States got underway on Saturday in Islamabad, as high-level delegations from Tehran and Washington arrived in the Pakistani capital and held initial meetings with Pakistani leaders.
Kabul 24: The Iranian delegation, headed by Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, and the American side, led by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, both met with senior Pakistani officials including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.According to Iranian media reports, the Iranian team used its Saturday midday meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to present its preconditions.
These include a durable ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of approximately $120 billion in frozen Iranian assets. Qalibaf has emphasized that Iran approaches the talks with goodwill but lacks full trust, insisting that prior commitments must be honored before deeper negotiations proceed.
On the American side, Vice President JD Vance, who arrived in Islamabad on Saturday morning, was received by Pakistani officials. During the welcome, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stressed Islamabad’s strong desire to facilitate “a sustainable and lasting solution” to end the conflict between Tehran and Washington. Vance has warned Iran against “playing” the United States and expressed cautious optimism while underscoring the need for serious commitments.Both delegations held separate meetings with Pakistan’s powerful Army Chief Asim Munir shortly after arrival.
Pakistan is playing a central mediating role, with its leadership describing the talks as a “make or break” moment for regional stability. The Pakistani capital has been placed under tight security, with roads blocked and thousands of personnel deployed.The current round of diplomacy takes place under a fragile two-week ceasefire.
If initial agreements on the preconditions are reached, direct Iran-U.S. negotiations are expected to begin later on Saturday afternoon in Islamabad.This marks one of the most significant direct engagements between Iranian and American officials in decades.
Success depends on bridging deep differences over regional issues (including Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz), sanctions relief, and nuclear concerns. Pakistani officials are coordinating closely with both sides to keep the process moving forward.
