Islamabad — An American delegation headed by Vice President J.D. Vance He arrived in Pakistan on Saturday for high-level talks with Iranian representatives, the first such meeting since the war began more than a month ago and will test whether they can shore up a fragile ceasefire and pave the way for peace.
the cease-fire By Pakistan The talks still face obstacles in the talks that begin on Saturday, as Israel and Hezbollah militants exchanged fire along the southern Lebanese border, and Iran set conditions before negotiations begin.
The Iranian delegation arrived early today, Saturday, in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, headed by the Speaker of Parliament Muhammad Baqir Qalibafwho said on X that discussions will only take place if there is an Israeli ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of detained Iranian assets.
US President Donald Trump repeatedly posted comments on social media about the negotiations, saying that Iranian officials “don’t have the cards.” He accused them of using Strait of Hormuza major artery of the global energy supply for extortion.
“The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!” Trump wrote.
Islamabad’s usually busy streets were deserted on Saturday morning, as security forces blocked roads ahead of the talks. Pakistani authorities urged residents to stay inside, making the city appear to be under a curfew.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that the conflict is entering a “difficult phase” as both sides try to shift from a temporary cessation of fighting to a more sustainable settlement, adding that they are in a “make or break” moment.
Vance is leading negotiations with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Before leaving Washington on Friday, Vance said he believed negotiations with Iran would be “positive.”
But he added: “If they try to manipulate us, they will find that the negotiating team is not receptive.”
The office of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced on Friday that negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are expected to begin on Tuesday in the American capital. Beirut is keen to hold direct talks to end the war between Israel and Hezbollah, but under a ceasefire similar to the one reached with Iran.
Israel wants the Lebanese government to assume responsibility for disarming Hezbollah, as envisioned in an agreement November 2024 ceasefire. But it is unclear whether the Lebanese army can monopolize weapons or confiscate weapons from the armed group, which has resisted efforts to limit its power for decades.
Israel’s insistence that the ceasefire in Iran suffices Do not include a pause In its fight with Hezbollah, it threatened to drop the deal. The armed group joined the war in support of its backer, Iran.
The day Israel announced the armistice Beirut was bombed with air strikesIt led to the death of more than 300 people, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. This was the bloodiest day in the country since the war began on February 28.
Trump said on Thursday that he had asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to back off the strikes.
Then on Friday, Israeli warplanes bombed near the State Security office in the southern town of Nabatieh, killing 13 officers, according to the Lebanese president’s office. Israeli forces said they also hit about 10 rocket launchers in Lebanon that were fired towards northern Israel.
Iran shut down Strait of Hormuz This caused oil prices to skyrocket, caused stocks to fall and disrupted the global economy. Tehran’s control of the waterway has proven its biggest strategic advantage in the war.
The spot price of Brent crude, the international standard, was about $97 on Friday, up more than 30% since the war began.
Before the conflict, about a fifth of global oil trade usually passed through the strait on more than 100 ships, many of them carrying oil to Asia. With the ceasefire in effect, only 12 people were recorded passing through.
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Metz reported from Jerusalem.