Islamabad: Pakistan has emerged as a key diplomatic hub as historic trilateral talks between Iran and the United States continue under Pakistan’s mediation, with both sides engaging in structured dialogue aimed at easing regional tensions despite ongoing disagreements on core issues.
The Iranian delegation arrived in Islamabad at 1:20 AM on April 11, led by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The 71-member delegation included senior officials from defense, finance, diplomacy, and parliamentary institutions. Upon arrival at Noor Khan Airbase, the delegation was received by senior Pakistani leadership, reflecting Islamabad’s central role as facilitator of the negotiations.
The US delegation landed earlier at 10:25 AM, led by US Vice President JD Vance. The team also included Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, former presidential advisor Jared Kushner, and other senior American officials. Washington signaled cautious optimism while emphasizing the need for Iran’s “good faith” engagement and tangible progress during the talks.
Separate high-level meetings were held between both delegations and Pakistan’s top leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Staff General Asim Munir. Pakistan played a key mediating role in building trust and shaping the framework of discussions, while broader issues such as the Lebanon ceasefire and Iran’s frozen assets were also raised during consultations.
The first round of trilateral talks began at 6:00 PM and lasted two hours, involving direct engagement between the parties. According to sources, discussions focused heavily on the Strait of Hormuz, ceasefire arrangements, and economic sanctions, with several points of deadlock emerging. Despite disagreements, both sides agreed to continue negotiations at the technical level.
A second round of expert-level talks followed, lasting more than four hours, where detailed economic, military, and legal aspects were reviewed. Some limited progress was reported, particularly regarding Iran’s frozen assets, while major differences remained over control and security arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides agreed to exchange written proposals and continue the process through further meetings.
Overall, the Islamabad negotiations are being viewed as a significant diplomatic development, marking the first structured multi-level engagement between Iran and the US in years under Pakistani facilitation. While major disputes remain unresolved, the continuation of dialogue is being seen as a cautious step toward potential regional de-escalation.