The US and Iran have begun Pakistan-brokered peace talks in Islamabad, with the world awaiting a breakthrough to end the West Asia conflict. The talks come after a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the US, which was left in tatters by a massive wave of Israeli strikes on Lebanon.
The US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, and the Iranian team, headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, held separate meetings with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ahead of the talks. Pakistani officials have indicated that the negotiations will be held in the Serena Hotel, which has been placed under a heavy security lockdown.
The two sides have travelled to Islamabad for the talks, with the Iranian delegation comprising Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Supreme National Defence Council Secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian, and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati. The US delegation is accompanied by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law.
Pakistan has led the diplomatic push to bring the two sides to the table, which became possible after an appeal by Prime Minister Sharif earlier this week, leading to a pause in the fighting. Iran has laid out a 10-point plan for the talks, which includes demands for the withdrawal of US forces from West Asia, the lifting of sanctions against Iran, and allowing it to control the Strait of Hormuz.
The success or failure of the talks could have far-reaching implications for West Asia's security, global energy markets, and international diplomacy.
