WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: US Vice President JD Vance on Friday expressed optimism ahead of crucial negotiations with Iran, as he departed for Pakistan to attend the much-anticipated “Islamabad Talks,” aimed at securing a lasting peace after weeks of intense conflict.
“We’re looking forward to the negotiation. I think it’s going to be positive,” Vance said, while cautioning that progress would depend on Iran’s willingness to engage in good faith. He added that the US negotiating team, guided by clear directives from President Donald Trump, would remain firm if faced with any lack of sincerity from Tehran.
Pakistan is set to host what could become one of the most consequential diplomatic engagements in recent history, as senior leadership from both the United States and Iran converge in Islamabad following a devastating six-week war that has claimed thousands of lives and shaken global economic stability.
The US delegation will be led by Vance, accompanied by key Middle East envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. On the Iranian side, Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is expected to head the delegation, alongside Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials.
Islamabad under tight security
Ahead of the high-stakes talks, Islamabad has been placed under an unprecedented security lockdown. Authorities have sealed key routes, deployed heavy security contingents, and intensified surveillance across the capital. Officials confirmed that negotiations will be held at a secure, undisclosed location to ensure maximum safety and confidentiality.
The Foreign Office has clarified that special visa-on-arrival facilities have been restricted to official delegations and accredited journalists attending the talks.
Pakistan emerges as key mediator
Pakistan’s role as a central diplomatic mediator has gained global recognition in recent weeks. The crisis was triggered when the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, prompting retaliatory strikes by Tehran on Israeli targets and US military bases in the Gulf, pushing the region toward a broader conflict.
In response, Pakistan undertook intensive diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions, including hosting a quadrilateral meeting of foreign ministers from Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt in Islamabad—an initiative widely praised by the international community.
Additionally, Pakistan, in collaboration with China, proposed a five-point peace initiative aimed at restoring stability in the Gulf and the wider Middle East, further cementing its role as a bridge between competing powers.
Fragile ceasefire at a critical juncture
The Islamabad Talks come at a delicate moment, with a fragile, conditional ceasefire currently in place between Washington and Tehran. The agreement, centered on a two-week pause in hostilities, seeks to halt major military operations and stabilize critical routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite both sides portraying the ceasefire as a strategic success, deep divisions persist over the terms of a long-term settlement.
At the core of the negotiations is a reported 10-point Iranian proposal, which US officials have described as a “workable basis” for dialogue. The framework includes provisions related to non-aggression, sanctions relief, management of the Strait of Hormuz, and cessation of hostilities across multiple fronts.
With talks set to begin in Islamabad, Pakistan is positioning itself at the heart of a critical diplomatic effort to transform a temporary truce into a sustainable peace agreement—one that could significantly shape the future of regional and global stability.
