As talks in Islamabad began, Prime Minister Sharif met with JD Vance, the American vice president leading his country’s delegation, according to a statement from Mr. Sharif’s office.
Before the discussions, which are starting in a tense atmosphere of mistrust and without a clear agenda or format – direct or indirect – the Prime Minister also met with the Iranian delegation.
“Recognizing the commitment of both delegations to engage in constructive dialogue, the Prime Minister expressed hope that these talks will lead to lasting peace in the region.” Triggered on February 28 by an Israeli-American offensive against Iran, the war has resulted in thousands of deaths, particularly in Iran and Lebanon, and has shaken the global economy.
The meeting took place at the Serena Hotel, as reported by the Iranian state television. Iran was expected to decide whether to start negotiations later in the day, according to the Iranian news agency Fars.
It was in this same hotel that JD Vance arrived around 12:00 local time, shortly after landing in Islamabad, which has become a ghost town under tight security. He is leading the American delegation, which also includes Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Donald Trump.
On the other side, Pakistan has assembled a team of experts to contribute to discussions on maritime trafficking, nuclear issues, and other related topics, according to a diplomatic source close to the matter.
The meeting is closely followed by other key players contributing to diplomatic efforts, including Egypt, Turkey, and China, with whom Pakistan continues to coordinate, the source added.
Before the start of the talks in Islamabad, each side issued warnings. Iran approached the negotiations “in a climate of total mistrust, due to the U.S. violating its commitments,” as stated by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a meeting with his German counterpart.
Iran has set two conditions, as stated by the influential Parliament President Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf: “a ceasefire in Lebanon,” where Israel is at war with Hezbollah supported by Tehran, and “the blocking of Iran’s assets.”
With many ultimatums, threats, and changes since the war began, Donald Trump stated that Iran had “no cards to play in negotiations other than the Strait of Hormuz,” a strategic maritime passage for Gulf oil deliveries that is almost entirely controlled by Iran.
Following the ceasefire, Tehran and Washington are at odds over whether Lebanon should be included in a peace agreement. Israel is determined to continue its fight against the pro-Iranian Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Wednesday, Israel conducted the deadliest strikes in Lebanon during the war, resulting in at least 357 deaths in one day, with the U.S. ally claiming to have killed 180 Hezbollah fighters.
The border area between the two countries remains tense. Hezbollah, which dragged Lebanon into the Middle Eastern war in early March, claimed to have carried out drone and rocket attacks on Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon and on Israeli locations near the border.
According to the Lebanese presidency, talks are scheduled to take place on Tuesday between Lebanon and Israel in Washington, but these talks have been rejected by Hezbollah.
