The Middle East war has a negotiating table — and the world is watching Islamabad.
JD Vance arrived in Pakistan on Saturday for high-stakes Iran talks in Islamabad, leading the US team sent by President Trump to negotiate a path toward ending the Middle East war.
Iran’s delegation of over 70, led by parliamentary speaker Ghalibaf, was already in the capital when Vance touched down.
Mutual Distrust on Both Sides
Neither side arrived with confidence. Ghalibaf warned Iran does not trust the US, citing a history of broken promises.
Vance offered an “open hand” but cautioned Iran against attempting to exploit the process. The US delegation also includes Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Iran had demanded a Lebanon truce and unfreezing of its assets before talks — neither condition has been met.
Nuclear Weapons and the Strait of Hormuz
Trump’s primary demand entering the talks is clear: Iran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. “That’s 99 per cent of it,” he said.
The Strait of Hormuz through which a fifth of global oil flows, remains partially closed despite the ceasefire, and Trump vowed Friday to have it open “with or without” Iran’s cooperation.
Markets responded to the fragile truce positively. All three major US stock indices gained more than 3% for the week, while oil prices dropped approximately 13%.
Lebanon Complicates the Picture
Israeli strikes continued in Lebanon despite Iran’s demand they stop as a condition of the truce.
Israel has maintained the US-Iran ceasefire does not cover Lebanon and has refused to negotiate a ceasefire with Hezbollah. Lebanese authorities report more than 1,950 people killed in weeks of hostilities.
The talks in Islamabad may be the best chance yet for a broader deal — but as Pakistani PM Sharif warned, the hardest stage is just beginning.
