US and Iran to discuss potential end to ongoing conflict in Pakistan

US and Iranian Delegations Meet in Islamabad for In-Person Talks

A delegation of top US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, met with a group of over 70 Iranian officials in Islamabad on Saturday, marking the first in-person talks between the two sides since the six-week-old conflict began. The meeting follows earlier bilateral meetings between each side and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The US delegation is led by Vice President Vance, who was joined by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former US President Donald Trump. Iranian officials were led by parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

According to sources close to the mediation, the talks initially began as “proximate talks” but have since shifted to direct negotiations with Pakistani mediators present in the room. The discussions are taking place despite earlier assertions from Tehran that they would not proceed without commitments on Lebanon’s inclusion in the ceasefire and US sanctions.

Reports indicate that some progress has been made on basic conditions, including a potential ceasefire in Lebanon. Sources also suggest that there may be movement on unfreezing Iranian assets. However, it is still early to confirm these developments, and Pakistan remains hopeful about the possibility of a breakthrough.

The talks come days after a fragile ceasefire was agreed between the US and Iran, which has halted US and Israeli air strikes on Iran. The meeting marks an effort to build on this momentum and find a lasting resolution to the conflict.

Source: Al Jazeera