ISLAMABAD: Shehbaz Sharif met visiting JD Vance on Saturday as high-stakes negotiations between the United States and Iran formally began in Islamabad, with Pakistan hoping the dialogue will pave the way for a lasting peace in the region.
The talks are taking place during a fragile two-week ceasefire in the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The war erupted after US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets on February 28 and spread across the Middle East, disrupting regional stability and affecting global markets. The hostilities were temporarily halted on April 8 following a ceasefire facilitated by Pakistan.
Vance Arrives For Islamabad Talks
Vice President Vance arrived in Pakistan shortly after 11am, landing at Nur Khan Airbase. He was received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Syed Asim Munir.
In a statement confirming the US delegation’s arrival, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan said Dar welcomed the delegation and appreciated Washington’s commitment to advancing regional and global peace.
The deputy prime minister also expressed hope that both sides would engage constructively and reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to facilitate efforts aimed at reaching a lasting and durable settlement.
Delegations From US and Iran In Islamabad Talks
The US delegation is led by Vance and includes Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump, as well as Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Officials from the United States National Security Council, United States Department of State and United States Department of Defense are also part of the delegation. Advance teams responsible for security, communications and logistics had arrived in Islamabad earlier.
The Iranian delegation reached the Pakistani capital early Saturday and is headed by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of Iran’s parliament. The delegation also includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Secretary of the Supreme National Defence Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian, and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati.