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- White House says delegation will not travel Wednesday as ceasefire extended amid uncertainty
- Capital faces disruptions as Pakistan awaits Iran decision on whether it will join negotiations
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan continued sweeping security operations across Islamabad and placed key areas under tight restrictions as authorities prepare for possible US-Iran talks, even as the White House said a US delegation would not travel to the capital on Wednesday.
The heightened security comes as diplomatic efforts remain in flux, with US President Donald Trump extending a fragile ceasefire with Iran but saying its navy’s blockade of Iran’s trade by sea would continue. The United States had fired on and seized an Iranian cargo vessel on Saturday and boarded a huge Iranian oil tanker on Tuesday in the Indian Ocean. Trump also said Tehran must present a “unified proposal” before talks proceed.
Iran has yet to confirm whether it will participate in a second round of negotiations expected to be held in Islamabad. Iran considers the US naval blockade an act of war and has said it will not lift its closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has caused a global energy crisis, as long as the US blockade continues.
A first round of direct talks between the United States and Iran on April 11 in Islamabad ended without a breakthrough, with both sides divided over sanctions, Iran’s nuclear program and broader security issues. The delay in fresh talks underscores the fragile state of diplomacy, even as Pakistan continues to position itself as a mediator.
According to Islamabad police on Wednesday, large-scale joint search operations continue across multiple districts of the capital.
“Special checking points have been established at the entry and exit routes of the city to ensure effective monitoring,” a police spokesperson said, adding that all patrolling units and special squads were active across the city.
Police said 546 individuals and 248 households had been checked, along with 326 motorcycles, 123 vehicles and 29 hotels, while 30 suspicious individuals were taken in for further verification.
The extensive security measures reflect uncertainty surrounding the timing of the talks, after Washington said it would not send its delegation to Islamabad on Wednesday.
“In light of President Trump’s Truth Social post confirming the United States is awaiting a unified proposal from the Iranians, the trip to Pakistan will not be happening today,” the White House press office said in emailed remarks to Arab News.
“Any further updates on in-person meetings will be announced by the White House,” it added.
The delay has prolonged restrictions in Islamabad, where major roads have been closed and access to the high-security “Red Zone,” which houses key government and diplomatic buildings, remains tightly controlled in anticipation of foreign delegations.
Markets were subdued, government offices operated remotely and many schools shifted to online classes as residents grappled with the impact of weeks of stop-start restrictions.
“We have to live here, the Red Zone has been shut down. Children cannot go to school, and shops are closed from time to time,” Zainab Ali Uthmankhail, a 27-year-old office worker, told AFP.
Small business owners and daily wage workers said the disruptions were cutting into already strained incomes.
“The impact of the lockdown is that we are not seeing any customers here in the market,” said Muhammad Ahsan, who runs a small shop in the capital.
Despite the inconvenience, some residents expressed support for Pakistan’s diplomatic role.
“We are giving a small sacrifice to reduce the size of the larger sacrifice,” said Syed Umar Hasnain Shah, a doctor in Islamabad.
On Wednesday, the talks process seemed ever more fragile as Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said the Revolutionary Guards had seized two vessels for maritime violations and escorted them to Iranian shores.
It was the first time Iran has seized ships since the beginning of the war at the end of February.
Throughout the war, Iran has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz to ships other than its own by attacking vessels that attempt to transit without its permission. Around a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes through the waterway.
On Wednesday, Britain’s maritime security agency UKMTO said that at least three container ships had reported being hit by gunfire in the strait.
With additional inputs from AFP and Reuters