Pakistan is set to host a high-stakes diplomatic meeting between the United States and Iran this weekend, but uncertainty over who will attend has clouded the talks even before they begin. Washington has confirmed it will participate, naming Vice President JD Vance to lead the American delegation, while Iran’s representation remains unclear amid competing reports and public denials.
The United States delegation is expected to be led by Vice President JD Vance and to include senior officials such as Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, according to announced plans. Washington says it will engage in the proposed Islamabad talks as part of efforts to stabilise rising tensions in the region.
On Tehran’s side reports have named Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as potential representatives. Ghalibaf, a former commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, was widely reported to be a likely key negotiator for the Iranian side, but no official confirmation has been issued.
Iran’s state-affiliated Fars News Agency said the planned peace talks in Islamabad are effectively on hold while hostilities continue in Lebanon. Citing unnamed sources, Fars dismissed reports that an Iranian delegation had already arrived in Islamabad as “completely false” and said negotiations would remain suspended until the United States fulfils its ceasefire commitments and Israel halts military operations in Lebanon.
Pakistan has positioned itself as an intermediary in recent weeks, facilitating communication between Tehran and Washington. Islamabad’s role reflects both its diplomatic ties with the United States and its proximity and sensitivity to developments in neighbouring Iran.
The diplomatic push follows a fragile ceasefire in West Asia announced shortly before a deadline set by US President Donald Trump, who had warned of large-scale strikes on Iran’s infrastructure. The wider conflict escalated after coordinated strikes by the US and Israel on Iran on February 28 that, according to the account in this report, killed Iran’s Supreme Leader; Iran then launched retaliatory attacks targeting Israel and Gulf states.
The situation intensified further when Hezbollah entered the fighting, prompting Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, including in Beirut, and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon. Those developments have complicated diplomatic efforts and left the composition and timing of any Islamabad meeting in doubt.
With regional tensions high, the proposed talks-if they take place-would be a rare direct channel between Washington and Tehran. The outcome remains uncertain, and any progress will depend on developments on the ground in Lebanon and whether the parties can agree on a clear, verifiable ceasefire framework.
Original Source: https://www.guwahatiplus.com/international/uncertainty-looms-over-us-iran-talks-in-islamabad-amid-fragile-ceasefire
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Publish Date: 2026-04-10 13:08:00
