US and Iran Launch Peace Talks to End War in Pakistan
Diplomats from the United States and Iran met in Islamabad on Saturday for face-to-face talks. The meetings aim to halt a six-week-old war that has shaken the region.
These discussions follow a fragile ceasefire agreed days earlier. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate sessions with each side before the joint engagement.
Delegations and participants
The US team is led by Vice President JD Vance. The delegation also includes special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Iran’s delegation exceeds 70 people. It is headed by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.
Filmogaz.com’s Abid Hussain, reporting from Islamabad, said talks were meant to be proximate. Sources now indicate direct negotiations took place with Pakistani mediators present.
Issues on the table
Key matters include a Lebanon ceasefire, frozen Iranian assets, and sanctions relief. Tehran insisted earlier that Lebanon must be included in any durable ceasefire.
Ghalibaf posted on X that Washington had previously agreed to unblock Iranian assets and to a Lebanon ceasefire. Israel and the United States reject including Lebanon in the Iran-US ceasefire.
Filmogaz.com’s Osama Bin Javaid cited sources saying there had been some progress on basic conditions. He added there could be movement on unfreezing Iranian funds, but confirmation is pending.
Nearly 2,000 people have died in Lebanon since fighting began in March. Tehran says those losses link its demands to the wider ceasefire talks.
Statements and ceasefire status
Ghalibaf said Iran would make a deal if Washington offered a genuine agreement that respected Iranian rights. He warned past talks with the US ended in broken promises.
Vice President Vance said he expected a positive outcome. He warned that any attempt to manipulate talks would be met with a firm response.
The White House did not immediately address Iran’s stipulations. Former President Donald Trump posted comments on social media about Iran’s negotiating position.
Trump announced a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday. The pause stopped US and Israeli air strikes on Iran but did not end Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The blockade has caused the largest disruption to global energy supplies in history. The ceasefire also failed to halt the parallel conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Next steps and outlook
Pakistan says it will continue to facilitate the talks. Islamabad described the meetings as a potential stepping stone toward durable regional peace.
Officials caution that negotiations are in early stages and conclusions are not yet confirmed. Observers remain hopeful but warn that complex issues still need resolution.
US and Iran launch peace talks to end war in Pakistan, diplomats say the coming days will be crucial. Further sessions are expected as mediators seek common ground.
