Live: All Eyes on Islamabad as Tricky US, Iran Talks Get Underway

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What Is Happening?

This weekend, Pakistan’s capital city is hosting talks between delegations of Iran and the United States, after both sides agreed to a ceasefire facilitated by Islamabad, on Tuesday.
The ceasefire took effect on Wednesday, and to the surprise of some, Islamabad came forward as the most suitable venue for talks. The talks are scheduled for today and Sunday. Little is known about the format of these talks.
However, as both US and Iran come with a heightened degree of mistrust and a rigid set of demands, the talks are more likely ongoing in an indirect format; where both sides are exchanging messages through Pakistani officials as mediators and facilitators.
US Vice President, JD Vance, arrived in Islamabad Saturday morning, while Iranian delegation reached Friday night. Both delegations have, by now, met the Pakistani Prime Minister.
US delegation, led by Vance, includes Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner – both regarded as people Trump trusts and also as being closely aligned with Israel.
In Islamabad, hopes are pinned on JD Vance to take the talks forward in a constructive way.
Iranian delegation is being led simultaneously by Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, and Speaker of the Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Secretary of the Defense Council of Iran, Ali Akbar Ahmadian, and Central Bank’s Governor, Abdolnaser Hemmati, are also part of this delegation.

Is US Unfreezing Iran’s Assets?

It all started with a Reuters report that quoted two separate Iranian sources, one of them marked a “senior” source, as saying that the US has agreed to unfreeze Tehran’s assets in Qatar primarily and other foreign banks as well.

The senior source told Reuters that Iran has received the agreement by the US to release the assets; in what form did the agreement come – verbal or written, we do not know.

The other source even specified the value of the assets which the US will release: $6 billion held in Qatar. The unfreezing of assets is one of the Iranian demands to provide leniency over use of the Strait of Hormuz.

But since the Reuters report surfaced, a US official denied any such agreement. It is noteworthy that Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Bagher Ghalibaf, did contend before the talks that the unfreezing of the assets is a pre-condition for the talks to even happen.

Now that both delegations are in Islamabad, it is hard to confirm if this pre-condition has been met.

JD Vance Meets Pakistan’s Prime Minister

After arrival in Islamabad, where he was received at the airport by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar, and the Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshall Asim Munir, the US Vice President has met the Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif.

In a media statement coming from the Government of Pakistan and the Prime Minister’s Office, Islamabad said the PM was hopeful that the talks happening today will lead to “durable peace in the region.”

“Commending the commitment of both delegations to engage constructively, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that these talks would serve as a stepping stone toward durable peace in the region,” the statement said.

“The Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan looks forward to continue its facilitation of both sides in making progress towards sustainable peace in the region,” it added.

As Talks Proceed, Israel Kills 10 in Lebanon

There are more than just one sticking points in the US, Iran talks happening in Islamabad right now. Israel continues strikes in Southern Lebanon; killing 10 just today including emergency responders.

At the same time, ambassadors of Lebanon and Israel are scheduled to meet in Washington on Tuesday; for talks over the possibility of a ceasefire in Lebanon.

This makes the talks in Islamabad all the more tricky as Israel out-rightly rejects and evades the fold of the fragile US-Iran ceasefire, continues strikes in Lebanon but also plans talks with Lebanon, maintaining a no to ceasefire with Hezbollah.

The presence of two Israel-aligned delegates in the US delegation – Steve Witkoff and Kushner – set the impression that even without formal presence, Israel’s stance will still resonate highly and figure prominently in Islamabad talks.

More here.

Vance Is the 5th US VP to Visit Pakistan. Do You Know the Rest?

JD Vance has become the fifth US vice president to visit Pakistan, as he arrived in Islamabad to take part in high-stakes negotiations between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the ongoing Middle East conflict.

His visit comes at a critical moment, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif describing the talks as “make-or-break” efforts to turn a fragile two-week ceasefire into a lasting peace. The truce was announced by US President Donald Trump after weeks of fighting involving US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Visits by US vice presidents to Pakistan have been rare and typically linked to major geopolitical developments. Check out here which other US VPs have visited Pakistan and when.

Warmth and Smiles – Iranian Delegation Meets Pakistan’s Prime Minister

Iranian delegation, that arrived in Islamabad last night and was received at the airport by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, and Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshall Asim Munir, has met the Prime Minister of the country – Shehbaz Sharif.

“Appreciating Iran’s engagement in the Islamabad Talks, the Prime Minister affirmed Pakistan’s sincere resolve to continue playing its role as a mediator to help build momentum towards achieving meaningful results in the interest of regional and global peace and stability,” a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office read.

Both countries’ delegation are now in Islamabad and talks may begin anytime. However, with reports suggesting the Iranian delegation is meeting PM Sharif first, it is reasonable to hope the talks may kickstart anytime in the afternoon.

To facilitate safe and secure movement of the delegations, Islamabad remains on high alert, and extensive security arrangements remain in place. Over 10,000 personnel across the capital are on duty to safeguard the movement of the delegates.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with the Iranian delegation led by the Honorable Speaker of the Iranian Consultative Assembly, Mr. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf at Islamabad Talks. 11 April, 2026. pic.twitter.com/Lt1hp5OycD

— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) April 11, 2026

Who Received JD Vance On Arrival?

The American Vice President, who is heading the US delegation into the Islamabad Talks, arrived Saturday morning at the Nur Khan Air Base.

He was greeted by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar, first and simultaneously by the Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshall Asim Munir.

Chargé d’affaires of the US embassy in Pakistan, Natalie Baker, was also present, as well as Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, and the Director General of Pakistan’s Intelligence, Asim Malik.

Backpacks of Innocent Minab School Victims Also Reached Islamabad

As the Iranian delegation reached Pakistan Friday night, the speaker of the Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, brought with him the backpacks of innocent children killed in the US strike on a school in the Iranian city, Minab.

It was a girls primary school – called Shajareh-Tayyebeh – hit by the American Tomahawk cruise missile on February 28; the very first day when US and Israel carried out joint attacks across Iran.

This school housed girls aged between seven and twelve – about 170 of whom lost lives in this attack which is cited as nothing short of a war crime.

Ghalibaf has brought these bags with him as a reminder of civilian casualties, of war crimes, and the innocent lives lost since February 28. Each backpack also carries the picture of the child who owned it.

As the talks will kick off in Islamabad any time today, the images of muddied backpacks placed on the seats of an airplane are the most powerfully symbolic visuals to have come out as yet.

Various visual investigations have pointed to the US as being the culprit in Minab school attack. And numerous countries have called for a proper inquiry and accountability into the incident.

همراهان من در این پرواز#Minab168 pic.twitter.com/xvXmDlSDiF

— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 10, 2026

Return from the Brink – Lebanon and Intensive Diplomacy

Iranian and American delegations are now in Islamabad but last-minute diplomatic hurdles almost jeopardized the talks and the ceasefire itself.

The talks nearly collapsed before they began, as Iran insisted it would only participate if Israeli strikes in Lebanon were halted. Tehran also demanded the release of billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets as a precondition.

Intense behind-the-scenes diplomacy involving Pakistan, Iran, the United States, and other international players helped ease tensions. Reports suggest that Israeli strikes paused in key areas such as Beirut and Dahieh, meeting part of Iran’s conditions, though violence has continued in southern Lebanon.

The situation in Lebanon remains a major sticking point. Iran maintains that any ceasefire must include all fronts, including Hezbollah, while the United States and Israel argue that Lebanon is not covered under the current truce. This disagreement continues to threaten the fragile diplomatic process.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the dialogue as a critical opportunity for peace but warned that the process has entered a difficult and decisive phase, where success or failure could shape the future of the conflict.

What Did Trump Say Ahead of the Talks?

Speaking briefly before departing on Air Force One Friday evening, US President Donald Trump expressed confidence in his negotiating team but stopped short of predicting any specific outcome.

“We’ll see how it turns out. JD, Steve, and Jared are involved. It’s a strong team, and they’re meeting tomorrow. We’ll see where it goes,” he said, referring to the delegation led by Vice President JD Vance and senior advisers.

“The strait will open up,” he said, suggesting that key maritime channels would eventually become accessible. He added that the United States itself does not rely heavily on such routes, noting, “We don’t use the strait, others will step in.”

When asked about contingency plans if diplomacy falters, Trump dismissed the need for one. “It won’t be simple, but we’ll get there,” he said. “You don’t need a backup plan.”

Pakistan’s Global Image Improves, Survey Suggests

A new survey by Ipsos suggests a sharp improvement in Pakistan’s global image following its role in brokering a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

According to the report, international sentiment shifted dramatically, from nearly 90% negative in late March to more than 70% positive by April 8, 2026, after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a 14-day truce.

The study, based on social listening data, shows that early reactions to Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts were largely skeptical.

Negative sentiment was especially strong in countries like India and within Pakistan itself, where some questioned the government’s credibility and strategic direction.

More here.