US and Iran to Hold Talks in Pakistan

After the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, the two countries are meeting in Islamabad to conclude “a lasting peace,” according to the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, April 7, just over an hour before Donald Trump’s ultimatum deadline. The next day, both countries claimed success. “A total and complete victory. 100%. There is no doubt about it,” said the US President to AFP on the phone shortly after the ceasefire announcement. “Iran has achieved a great victory,” declared Iran’s Supreme Security Council, stating that “the enemy suffered an undeniable, historic, and overwhelming defeat.” Iran and the United States will now begin talks starting Friday, April 10, in Islamabad, Pakistan to reach a long-term agreement. Franceinfo provides an overview of the organization of these negotiations.

Pakistan Hosts Talks

As a mediator in the Middle East conflict, Pakistan has offered to host negotiations between the United States and Iran in Islamabad, aiming to reach a “final agreement,” according to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. “We sincerely hope that the ‘Islamabad talks’ will lead to lasting peace and look forward to sharing more good news with you in the coming days,” he said.

Pakistan maintains good relations with both the US and Iran. The Pakistani government has developed a close relationship with the American president, who particularly appreciates its chief of staff, as well as with Donald Trump’s inner circle, especially his envoy Steve Witkoff, who has business ties in Pakistan.

Direct Negotiations Between Iranians and Americans

American and Iranian delegations will travel to Pakistan. The American delegation will be led by Vice President J.D. Vance, the White House announced on Wednesday. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, will also participate in these discussions with Iran, according to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.

After announcing the arrival of an Iranian delegation in Pakistan on Thursday, April 9, the Iranian ambassador in Islamabad deleted his message. “The Iranian delegation is arriving in Islamabad tonight, at the invitation of the honorable Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, for serious talks based on the 10 points proposed by Iran,” he wrote. This message was sent prematurely and deleted due to “issues,” according to an Iranian embassy official in Islamabad, without confirming if the Iranian delegation was still expected on Thursday.

Discussions Will Focus on the Iranian Ten-Point Plan

The negotiations will be based on a ten-point list proposed by Tehran on Tuesday as a basis for a long-term peace agreement, which Donald Trump considers “a viable foundation for negotiations.” The Iranian Supreme National Security Council warned on Wednesday night that the talks will be held “with total distrust towards the United States” and that Iranian forces will remain ready to react.

The Iranian ten-point plan includes aspects such as “maintaining Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz, accepting uranium enrichment, lifting all primary and secondary sanctions,” and demands that “the US must commit to ensuring, in principle, non-aggression,” “stopping war on all fronts,” including in Lebanon where Israel has carried out deadly airstrikes, and “the withdrawal of US forces” from the country. Donald Trump, who had previously threatened to “annihilate the Iranian civilization,” said he was ready to “discuss” the “lifting (…) of the sanctions” suffocating the Iranian economy, but assured that there would be “no uranium enrichment.”

A senior White House official cast doubt on the substance of these negotiations, stating that the plan publicly disclosed by Iran was not the document serving as the basis for discussions with the US, contradicting the American president’s announcement. “The document mentioned in the press is not the plan we are working on. We will not negotiate publicly,” said the source anonymously to AFP.

Holidays Declared in Islamabad

Pakistani authorities have announced that the upcoming days will be holidays in Islamabad. Although no specific reasons were given, this directive is often issued for security reasons ahead of important diplomatic events. “Essential services will remain operational,” said the deputy commissioner’s office in a statement, advising residents to “plan their activities accordingly.” Essential service offices will remain open, including police, hospitals, as well as electricity and gas services.