By Our Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: In a significant diplomatic development, JD Vance arrived in Pakistan on Saturday to lead high-level talks with Iranian leadership, marking the first such engagement between Washington and Tehran in decades.
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The negotiations come amid a fragile two-week ceasefire in the US-Israel conflict with Iran, brokered by Pakistan on April 8 after weeks of escalating violence across the Middle East.
Vance was received at Nur Khan Air Base by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Army Chief Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating a durable and peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The US delegation includes Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff, alongside officials from key departments. Iran is represented by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Tehran agreed to join talks after assurances that Israeli strikes in Lebanon would halt, a critical condition set by Iran. However, differences persist over the scope of the ceasefire, nuclear restrictions, sanctions relief, and regional security issues.
US President Donald Trump signaled cautious optimism but warned that military options remain if negotiations fail. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized dialogue as the only viable path forward, while acknowledging the complexity of the negotiations.
Despite low expectations for immediate breakthroughs, the Islamabad talks represent a rare diplomatic opening between long-time adversaries, with Pakistan positioned as a key mediator striving to balance regional stability and global peace efforts.
