Islamabad is set to host critical ceasefire talks as a high-level US delegation qarrived in Pakistan for negotiations with Iran. With both sides already in the country, expectations are rising for a possible diplomatic breakthrough.The high-powered US delegation is led by US Vice President JD Vance along with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

The US delegation was received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi upon arrival. Welcoming the US vice president, Dar commended the US commitment to achieving lasting regional and global peace and stability.

He also expressed the hope that parties would engage constructively, and reiterated Pakistan’s desire to continue facilitating the parties towards reaching lasting and durable solution to the conflict.Earlier, a senior Iranian delegation reached Pakistan late last night ahead of the talks. The delegation is being led by Baqir Qalibaf and includes Abbas Araqchi.

Both delegations are now in Islamabad, where high-level talks between the United States and Iran are scheduled to take place today.With both sides present, Islamabad has emerged as a key venue for high-stakes diplomacy. The talks are expected to focus on a ceasefire and broader efforts to reduce tensions following recent conflict developments. 

The presence of senior officials from both countries underscores the urgency and global significance of the negotiations.Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Sheikh, highlighted Islamabad’s role in bringing both sides together. In an interview, he said Pakistan’s primary objective was to facilitate dialogue by bringing the parties to the negotiating table.

He added that both sides are showing constructive thinking, raising hopes for progress. “If the negotiation process moves forward, the issues will be resolved automatically,” he said, expressing optimism about the outcome. Washington and Tehran are due to begin negotiations ?seeking to ?end the six-week-old Iran ?war ?that has killed thousands of people across the ?Middle East, ?disrupted ?energy supplies, fed inflation ?and slowed ?the ?global economy.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)