Opening of negotiations between Iran and the United States in Islamabad

Iranian and American senior officials have begun direct negotiations in Islamabad on Saturday in an attempt, despite many uncertainties, to secure a lasting ceasefire in a war that is shaking the global economy.

These discussions, at an unprecedented level between the two enemy countries since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, are taking place in a trilateral format according to the White House, with the presence of Pakistani officials who facilitated a two-week ceasefire that came into effect on Wednesday.

The American delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, is accompanied by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Iran is represented in Islamabad by influential Parliament President Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

In the evening, Iranian state television stated that two sessions had taken place and a third would likely be held “either tonight or tomorrow, Sunday,” without providing further details. The White House described the talks as “ongoing.”

A Pakistani official assured that “the talks are progressing in the right direction” and that the overall atmosphere is “cordial,” speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity.

There has been no release of images from the discussions.

Trita Parsi, an analyst at the Washington think tank “Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft” and a specialist on the matter, mentioned that “the level of responsibility and the extent of the Iranian delegation, which includes the director of the Central Bank, demonstrates Tehran’s sincerity in these negotiations as well as their expectations and confidence.”

Iran has leverage over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for oil supply, which has been effectively blocked since the beginning of the conflict, impacting the global economy with shortages and price hikes.

Iranian media reported that the American side had made “excessive” demands on this matter during the discussions.

The US military stated on Saturday that two of its destroyers had crossed the Strait of Hormuz in an operation before demining it, a claim rejected by a senior Iranian military official.

The war that began on February 28 with an Israeli-American offensive against Iran has resulted in thousands of deaths, especially in Iran and Lebanon.

Significant differences persist between the two warring parties regarding key issues, including Ormuz, sanctions against the Islamic Republic, and Lebanon, where Israel is at war with the pro-Iranian Hezbollah.

Reports from Iranian agencies Fars and Tasnim mentioned “the US acceptance of releasing Iranian assets and the need for more in-depth technical and expert discussions on this matter,” although a senior American official denied that Washington had agreed to unfreeze these assets.

The meeting is closely followed by other actors contributing to diplomatic efforts such as Egypt, Turkey, and China, with whom Pakistan is coordinating.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan emphasized that the next step to establish a lasting ceasefire would be “challenging,” describing it as a “make or break” phase.

In Iran, where authorities imposed an internet blackout, residents expressed doubts about the situation, highlighting the unpredictability of Trump’s actions.

After the ceasefire took effect, Israel asserted that Lebanon, where it fights the pro-Iranian Hezbollah, was not included in the agreement.

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday claimed 18 lives according to the Health Ministry, while the Israeli army reported striking over 200 Hezbollah targets in the past 24 hours.

Wednesday saw Israel conduct the deadliest strikes of the war in Lebanon, resulting in at least 357 deaths in a single day, as per the latest count. Lebanese authorities stated that 2,020 people had died and 6,436 were injured since March 2.

According to the Lebanese presidency, talks are scheduled to take place on Tuesday between Lebanon and Israel in Washington, a prospect rejected by Hezbollah.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his desire for a peace agreement that would last for generations and reaffirmed Israel’s opposition to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic programs, portraying Iran and its allies as fighting for survival.