ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Senior officials from the United States and Iran have arrived in Pakistan’s capital for high-stakes negotiations aimed at ending a six-week conflict that has destabilised the Middle East and threatened global energy security.
A US government plane carrying top envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, landed in Islamabad ahead of the talks, according to Reuters.
The American delegation is expected to be led by Vice President JD Vance, signalling the high-level nature of the negotiations.
The Iranian delegation, led by parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, arrived a day earlier, setting the stage for the talks scheduled for Saturday.
The negotiations come amid a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States, alongside Israel, which has paused direct strikes but failed to halt broader regional violence.
Fighting linked to Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon continues, complicating efforts to secure a comprehensive truce.
Speaking upon arrival, Qalibaf struck a cautious tone, reflecting deep mistrust between the parties.
“We have good intentions, but we do not trust,” he said, adding that Iran would not fully engage in talks unless its assets are unfrozen and the ceasefire extended to Lebanon.
Washington and Israel, however, maintain that Lebanon is not covered under the current ceasefire framework, a key sticking point that threatens to derail progress.
US President Donald Trump adopted a hardline stance ahead of the talks, accusing Iran of leveraging its position near the Strait of Hormuz to pressure the global economy.
“The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate,” Trump said, underscoring the tense diplomatic backdrop.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil chokepoint, remains open, but disruptions linked to the conflict have heightened volatility in global energy markets.
Pakistan’s role as host and mediator reflects its unique diplomatic positioning. The country maintains longstanding ties with both Iran and the United States, making it a strategic bridge in efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
Tehran was the first country to recognise Pakistan after its independence in 1947, and the two share deep cultural and geographic ties, including a 900-kilometre border.
At the same time, Pakistan remains a key US ally, designated a major non-NATO partner despite periods of strained relations.
The regional conflict has also had economic repercussions for Pakistan, which relies heavily on Gulf oil imports.
Disruptions linked to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have pushed fuel prices up by about 20 P.c, adding pressure on the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Historically, Pakistan has played a significant role in facilitating global diplomacy, including the 1972 US-China rapprochement, the 1988 Geneva Accords on Afghanistan, and the 2020 US-Taliban negotiations.
The outcome of the negotiations could have far-reaching implications for regional stability, global oil markets, and the broader geopolitical balance in the Middle East.
