Web Desk: Pakistan will host formal negotiations between Iran and the United States in Islamabad following a ceasefire, as delegations from both sides arrive under tight security aimed at preventing disruptions and ensuring confidentiality.
An American military transport aircraft landed at Noor Khan Airbase on Friday, signaling the start of high-level arrivals for talks that Pakistani officials describe as a potential step toward a broader peace framework.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said authorities would issue visas on arrival to all participating delegations as well as foreign journalists covering the negotiations. He added that airlines had been instructed to allow boarding for accredited participants without delay.
Senior U.S. and Iranian officials are expected in Islamabad throughout the day. According to the US administration, Vice President JD Vance will lead the American delegation, accompanied by special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner.
Iran’s delegation will be headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. However, officials have not confirmed the participation of any senior representative from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
Pakistani officials said last-minute changes to delegation lists remain possible as arrivals continue.
The negotiations will take place at the Serena Hotel Islamabad, located near the capital’s high-security Red Zone. Authorities have evacuated the hotel and imposed strict security protocols in surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, Islamabad’s Red Zone has been sealed, and key entry points into the city have been closed. The government has also declared a two-day public holiday to reduce movement and strengthen security arrangements.
The talks aim to halt ongoing hostilities between Washington and Tehran and lay the groundwork for a lasting peace agreement. Iran has proposed a 10-point plan that includes monitoring the Strait of Hormuz, the withdrawal of US forces, and a reduction in regional military activity.
However, Washington has not fully accepted these terms. US President Donald Trump described the proposal as “workable” but maintains that Iran must limit or eliminate its stockpile of enriched uranium.
In addition, disagreements have emerged over Lebanon, where Israeli military operations have heightened tensions. Iran is pushing for an immediate halt to Israeli strikes, while the United States considers the issue outside the scope of the negotiations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited both sides to Islamabad, positioning Pakistan as a key intermediary. Dar will act as mediator, and Pakistani officials will facilitate communication between the delegations.
Pakistan’s diplomatic ties with both countries, along with its long border with Iran, have strengthened its role as a neutral host in the negotiations.
Analysts caution that deep mistrust persists between the two sides, with both Washington and Tehran continuing to exchange accusations. They warn that regional tensions, particularly involving Israel, could complicate progress.
Experts say a comprehensive agreement is unlikely in the immediate term. However, continued dialogue could mark the beginning of a broader political process, with confidence-building measures seen as a critical first step.
The outcome of the Islamabad talks could have far-reaching implications, not only for US-Iran relations but also for political and economic stability across the Middle East.
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