Iran and the United States are set to engage in high-stakes talks in Islamabad, with both sides openly wary of each other. Tehran has reiterated its deep distrust of the US, citing past failures and broken promises, while Washington has signaled caution, offering to extend an 'open hand' if Iran negotiates in good faith.
Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf made the remarks upon arriving in Islamabad, where he is leading a high-level delegation for expected discussions involving the American side. The talks are seen as a 'make or break' moment, with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif describing the stage ahead as 'difficult but decisive.'
The Iranian delegation includes representatives from security, political, military, economic, and legal fields, while the US team is led by US Vice President JD Vance, along with Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Key Iranian demands include the release of frozen assets and a ceasefire in Lebanon, while the US is expected to push for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a halt to Iran's nuclear enrichment programme.
The talks come as Israel has maintained that a two-week ceasefire does not extend to Lebanon, where recent strikes have left heavy casualties. Lebanese authorities say more than 1,950 people have been killed in recent weeks, including over 350 on a single day during renewed strikes.
