Iran-US talks begin in Islamabad

(Patria) - Iran-US talks, aimed at ending the war in the Middle East, have begun in Islamabad, announced Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who met separately with members of the two delegations.

"At the beginning of the talks in Islamabad, the Prime Minister met with JD Vance, the US Vice President leading his country's delegation," Sharif's office announced.

Before the talks, which are starting in an atmosphere of deep mistrust and for which neither an agenda nor a direct or indirect format has been set, the Prime Minister also met with the Iranian delegation.

Welcoming the commitment of both delegations to constructive dialogue, the Prime Minister expressed hope that these talks will result in lasting peace in the region.

Launched on February 28 with an Israeli-American offensive against Iran, the war has so far claimed thousands of lives, primarily in Iran and Lebanon, while shaking the global economy.

As reported by Iranian state television, the meeting is being held at the Serena Hotel. The Iranian news agency Fars reported that Iran was expected to decide later whether to start negotiations later in the day.

JD Vance arrived at the same hotel around noon local time, shortly after landing in Islamabad, which has turned into a ghost town under heavy security.

Islamabad April 11 ,2026

As the Islamabad Talks commenced today, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with His Excellency JD Vance, Vice President of the United States of America.

The U.S. Vice President was assisted by Special Envoy Steve… pic.twitter.com/XcH5x1VlHl

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

JD Vance is leading the American delegation, which also includes Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, as well as Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law.

Pakistan has assembled a team of experts who will contribute to discussions on maritime transport, nuclear issues, and other key topics, a diplomatic source close to the matter told AFP.

The meeting is also being closely monitored by other actors who have contributed to diplomatic efforts, including Egypt, Turkey, and China, countries with which Pakistan continues to coordinate, the source said.

Before the meeting began in Islamabad, each side issued its warnings.

Iran approaches the negotiations "in an atmosphere of complete mistrust, as the US has repeatedly violated its obligations," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his German counterpart Johann Wadephul yesterday, according to the Iranian news agency Tasnim.

According to the influential Parliament Speaker Mohamad Bager Ghalibaf, who is leading the Iranian delegation, Iran has set two preconditions: "a ceasefire in Lebanon," where Israel is at war with Hezbollah, which Tehran supports, and "the unfreezing of Iranian assets."

"If we are dealing with representatives of the 'Israel First' movement here, then there will be no agreement," wrote Iran's First Vice President Mohamad Reza Aref on platform X.

Before arriving in Pakistan, JD Vance warned Iran: "If they try to play games with us, they will see that our negotiating team will not react to them."

However, despite this, he said they would "try to conduct positive negotiations."