US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Islamabad this Saturday for critical negotiations with Iran. Host and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the summit as a “make or break” effort to permanently end weeks of intense conflict in the Middle East.
The Delegations Arrive
An Iranian delegation, led by Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, landed overnight. In a notable display of rapport, Ghalibaf was greeted with an embrace by Pakistan’s Army Chief, Asim Munir.
Shortly after, Munir escorted Vice President Vance down the red carpet at Nur Khan air base. Joining the US team were special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, signaling the high priority the Trump administration has placed on these talks.
Deep-Seated Mistrust
Despite the formal greetings, both sides expressed significant skepticism. Key sticking points remain, most notably the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran’s Stance: Ghalibaf stated that while Iran has “good intentions,” they do not trust the U.S., citing a history of “broken promises.”
- The US Stance: Vance noted that while the U.S. is willing to extend an “open hand” for good-faith negotiations, they will not be “played” by Iranian tactics.
A Fragile Ceasefire
The negotiations occur against a backdrop of extreme regional instability. The current truce is strained by continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon, following a massive bombardment against Hezbollah that killed hundreds just days ago.
Prime Minister Sharif acknowledged the difficulty ahead, noting that while his mediation successfully brought both parties to the table, the path to a permanent end to the fighting—which began with strikes on February 28—remains treacherous.
Next Steps
Talks are expected to begin following an afternoon meeting between the Iranian delegation and Prime Minister Sharif. Meanwhile, Iranian state media remains cautious, balancing news of the summit with reports of volunteers preparing for a potential return to war.
