On Saturday (April 11), high-level representatives from the United States and Iran gathered in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad to prepare for crucial peace negotiations aimed at ending the six-week-long conflict. The international community is hopeful that both sides can transform the current fragile ceasefire into a long-term peace agreement.
The US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, includes President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner.
According to the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Army Chief of Staff Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with the US delegation. The ministry praised the US commitment to achieving lasting regional and global peace and reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to continue assisting all parties in reaching a sustainable and long-term solution.
Iran sent a large delegation of 71 members led by Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, including the Foreign Minister, technical experts, negotiation specialists, media representatives, and security personnel, in response to the high sensitivity and complexity of the negotiations.
Leading up to the talks, President Trump issued a clear warning to Iran, stating that if a peace agreement is not reached, the US will “resume military action with greater force.”
It has been disclosed that the US proposed a “15-point plan” including Iran’s commitment to not develop nuclear weapons and surrender high-enriched uranium, limitations on Iran’s military capabilities, and reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz for global energy supply.
Although Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic advantage, Trump emphasized that this is the country’s “only leverage.”
The conflict has already led to disruptions in global energy supply and triggered inflation and soaring oil prices in the US.
Despite the negotiations, external variables still remain. CNN reports suggest that US intelligence indicates that China may be preparing to deliver MANPADS anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran, seen as an attempt to replenish weapons during the ceasefire.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington has refuted these claims, stating that the information is not accurate.
Meanwhile, the conflict within Lebanon has not subsided despite the US-Iran ceasefire, with recent escalation in crossfire resulting in a rising death toll. Nonetheless, Israeli and Lebanese diplomats have decided to meet in Washington next week to discuss ceasefire arrangements between the two countries.
As the host of the current meeting, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the talks as a pivotal “make-or-break” moment.
To ensure the smooth progress of the “Islamabad negotiations,” the Pakistani government has established an advanced media center at the Jinnah Convention Center and provided on-site visas to diplomats and journalists.
On Saturday, the streets of Islamabad appeared deserted due to security lockdowns, with the bustling capital seemingly under curfew, as the entire city awaited this historic dialogue crucial for regional peace.