An American delegation headed by Vice President J.D. Vance He arrived in Pakistan To hold talks with Iranian officials aimed at supporting the fragile ceasefire and paving the way for a permanent end to the fighting. This is the first meeting of its kind since the war began more than a month ago.
the cease-fire The Pakistani-brokered talks are still facing obstacles in the talks that begin on Saturday, as Israel and Hezbollah militants exchange fire along the southern Lebanese border, and Iran also set conditions before the negotiations begin.
The Iranian delegation arrived early Saturday in Islamabad, headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who said on the 10th of this month that discussions would not take place unless there was an Israeli ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of detained Iranian assets.
Hours earlier, President Donald Trump wished Vance good luck. “We will find out what is happening. They have been defeated militarily.”
In Islamabad, the capital’s usually busy streets became deserted on Saturday, as security forces closed roads ahead of the talks.
Here is the latest:
Vance arrived in Islamabad at the head of a delegation that included President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
The Iranian delegation, headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, was already in Islamabad.
Before leaving for Pakistan, Vance warned Iran not to “play” with the United States. Hours later, Ghalibaf said discussions would only take place if there was an Israeli ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of detained Iranian assets.
The Iranian delegation is scheduled to meet with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Saturday afternoon, according to Tasnim News Agency, which is close to the Revolutionary Guards.
The Iranian negotiating team, headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqir Qalibaf and including Foreign Minister Abbas Arghashi, met late Friday with the Pakistani Army Commander, Field Marshal Asim Munir.
These meetings come before high-stakes talks between Iran and the United States in Islamabad aimed at reaching a permanent end to the war in the Middle East.
Pakistani Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said that the Pakistani government has established a state-of-the-art media center to facilitate Pakistani and foreign journalists covering the talks between the United States and Iran.
Tarar told reporters that the facility at the Jinnah Convention Center provides high-speed internet and a range of free services to support media coverage. Shuttle services were arranged to transport journalists between the media center and a hotel in the city’s main shopping centre.
Pakistan announced the granting of entry visas upon arrival to journalists and official delegations traveling from the United States and Iran to participate in the talks, which were called the “Islamabad Talks.”
Inside the media center, rows of workstations equipped with laptops and charging points allow journalists to file stories. Big screens broadcast the most important local and international TV channels. The facility also has designated areas for live performances, press briefings and interviews.
The usually busy streets of the Pakistani capital appeared deserted on Saturday, as security forces blocked roads ahead of talks between high-level officials from Iran and the United States to end the nearly six-week war. Pakistani authorities urged Islamabad residents to stay inside, making the city appear to be under a curfew.
US Vice President J.D. Vance heads the US delegation, which was expected to arrive before noon.
Iranian negotiators, headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, arrived on Friday evening.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif The conflict has entered a “difficult phase” as both sides try to shift from a temporary cessation of fighting to a more sustainable settlement. He said they were in a “make or break” moment.