ISLAMABAD: A high-level United States (US) delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, will arrive in Islamabad today, Monday, to hold negotiations on the Iran war, Trump said on Sunday, with Tehran saying it has no plans yet to participate in further talks with Washington.
Trump announced on Sunday that a team of US negotiators is expected to arrive in Islamabad by Monday evening for a second round of talks on Iran. The White House separately confirmed to Arab News that the team will include Vance and envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who will hold talks regarding Iran on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, fears of a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran collapsing increased on Sunday after Washington continued its blockade of Iranian ports and an American destroyer seized an Iranian ship that tried to evade it. Tehran warned it would retaliate. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said Tehran is yet to decide whether it will participate in the next round of talks with the US.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday visited the US embassy in Islamabad to meet Ambassador Natalie Baker. Both figures discussed security arrangements ahead of the US delegation’s visit, the interior ministry said.
“Special security arrangements have been made for all distinguished guests,” Naqvi was quoted as saying by his ministry.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on promoting Pakistan–US ties and the latest regional situation, according to the Pakistani interior ministry.
“The US ambassador appreciated Pakistan’s sincere role in reducing tensions in the region,” it said.
Separately, Naqvi met with Iran’s Ambassador Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam and stressed the need for a sustainable solution to the conflict through diplomatic channels.
“Pakistan advocates for resolving the Iran-USA dispute through negotiations,” Naqvi was quoted as saying by his ministry. “The enduring solution to the conflict is the guarantor of the region’s stability and peace.”
The ministry said the Iranian ambassador appreciated Pakistan’s positive and constructive role in reducing tensions.
Meanwhile, stringent security measures were in place in Islamabad, with the city’s key arteries blocked and heavy deployment of law enforcement personnel in several parts, especially the Red Zone, which houses key government buildings and diplomatic missions. Authorities in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have also banned public and goods transport till further orders.
Vance led the US team in the first round of talks with Iran on Apr. 11 in Islamabad. The Iranian delegation was led by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. The two sides had intensive talks for over 20 hours but were unable to reach an agreement.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Iran’s president to discuss the regional situation, and apprised Masoud Pezeshkian of his recent meeting with the leaders of Turkiye, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
“I assured him that, with the support of friends and partners, Pakistan remains fully committed to its role as an honest and sincere facilitator of lasting peace and regional stability,” Sharif said on X.
