Iranian and US negotiators have arrived in Pakistan ahead of peace talks.
By Nathan Morley
Talks between Iran and the United States are set to begin in Pakistan as delegations from both countries arrive in Islamabad.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance was greeted by Pakistan’s foreign minister after landing in the capital, only hours after the Iranian delegation arrived.
Iran’s lead negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said his team has “good intentions” but “does not trust” the United States.
Vance has previously said Washington will not be receptive if Iran “tries to play us.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar praised what he called the U.S. commitment to lasting regional and global peace. In a statement, he said he hoped Iran and the United States would “engage constructively” and reaffirmed Pakistan’s willingness to facilitate efforts toward a durable settlement.
Pakistan maintains longstanding ties with Iran and shares a border with the country.
A conditional two‑week ceasefire between the United States and Iran was announced Tuesday.
It was first made public by President Trump on social media, and Tehran later confirmed the agreement, which is contingent on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and pausing strikes on Iran.
Full details of the arrangement have not been released, and how a longer‑term cease-fire might be negotiated remains unclear.
Separately, Lebanese officials said negotiators will meet an Israeli delegation in Washington on Tuesday. The United States and Israel have said Lebanon is not part of the cease-fire agreement, while Pakistan has said it is.
Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “there is no cease-fire in Lebanon” and that the Iran deal does not include the country. He said Israel will take part in talks with Lebanon while continuing its military operations there.
U.N. Secretary‑General António Guterres welcomed the planned U.S.–Iran talks and urged both sides to approach them in “good faith.”
