Islamabad— Trilateral ceasefire talks involving the United States, Iran and Pakistan have formally commenced in Islamabad, marking the highest-level engagement between Washington and Tehran since the Iranian Revolution.
Ahead of the negotiations, the Iranian delegation held a strategic internal meeting in the Pakistani capital to finalise its approach. The discussions come amid efforts to stabilise a fragile ceasefire announced earlier this week following heightened tensions in West Asia.
On the diplomatic front, US Vice President JD Vance held a high-level meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif prior to the talks. Separately, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also met Sharif.
The negotiations are centred at the Serena Hotel, which has become the hub of intense diplomatic activity, with heightened security and the presence of international delegations.
The American delegation is being led by JD Vance and includes key figures such as Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Pakistani leadership has described the talks as “make-or-break,” underlining the high stakes involved.
Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref earlier indicated that the success of the negotiations would depend heavily on the US approach. He suggested that a constructive stance could lead to a mutually beneficial agreement, while a hardline position could derail talks and escalate tensions further.
With global attention focused on Islamabad, the outcome of these negotiations is expected to play a crucial role in shaping regional stability and future diplomatic relations in West Asia.
