Senior US and Iranian officials met in Islamabad on Saturday for high-stakes talks intended to convert a fragile ceasefire into a more durable peace after six weeks of fighting that has killed thousands, disrupted energy markets and strained the global economy.
Pakistan is hosting and facilitating the discussions, which officials say are unfolding in two separate tracks — Pakistan with the United States, and Pakistan with Iran — with a possible trilateral format if progress is made on core demands and conditions. Pakistani authorities say they are prepared to assist in whatever role Tehran and Washington require, while the final structure will be agreed by the two foreign parties.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the talks had begun after he met US Vice President J.D. Vance, who is leading the US negotiating team. Vance arrived with senior US envoys including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Iran’s delegation is headed by Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who held a preparatory meeting with Sharif; Iranian outlets reported that Qalibaf said Tehran would decide whether to continue only after that meeting, reflecting skepticism born of past failed negotiations with the United States.
A central sticking point is Lebanon. Iran demands that any ceasefire include an end to Israeli strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon and has warned it could pull back from an arrangement if attacks there continue. The US and Israel reject bringing Lebanese operations into the ceasefire framework, arguing the fighting in Lebanon is a separate conflict. Israel’s recent large-scale missile strikes and ongoing operations in southern Lebanon — which Lebanese officials say killed hundreds in one wave of attacks — have intensified tensions and risk derailing the talks.
Other major issues on the agenda include sanctions relief and frozen Iranian assets held abroad. Iranian sources cited by Reuters have said about $6 billion held in Qatar could be released, a claim the White House has denied. The parties are also disputing access and control of the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran seeking leverage and potential transit fees while the US insists on unfettered international maritime passage. Nuclear enrichment and ballistic missile capabilities remain contentious: the US and Israel want substantial limits, while Iran seeks to preserve its program. Finally, Iran is calling for a reduced US military presence in the Gulf and security assurances, whereas Washington says forces will stay until any agreement is secured.
The talks are taking place amid renewed exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah along the Lebanon–Israel border, including encirclement of positions and retaliatory rocket fire. That violence increases urgency for a deal but also raises the chance of collapse. Pakistan’s foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, urged all parties to engage constructively, and Islamabad deployed heightened security as delegations arrived. Analysts say Pakistan’s mediation is delicate: the country wants regional stability but must balance competing US and Iranian interests.
The White House has denied reports that it agreed to unfreeze Iranian assets in Qatar or other banks. US officials have signaled willingness to consider concessions on financial and sanctions-related measures if Iran accepts verifiable limits on its nuclear and missile programs.
Iranian officials have repeatedly insisted Lebanon’s inclusion is non-negotiable, and Qalibaf warned of deep skepticism based on past broken promises. The US side, led by Vice President Vance, framed Washington as ready to extend a conciliatory approach if Iran negotiates in good faith.
Outcomes remain uncertain. Negotiators face a narrow window to turn a tenuous truce into a sustainable settlement and to prevent further escalation in Lebanon and the wider region. Progress will depend on resolving the Lebanon issue, bridging differences over sanctions and nuclear and missile constraints, and overcoming deep mutual distrust. Pakistan’s role provides a neutral channel, but any durable agreement will require reciprocal, enforceable commitments from both Tehran and Washington.