Islamabad, April 11: US Vice President JD Vance is currently in Islamabad for high-level discussions with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to a statement from the White House. Al Jazeera confirmed the meeting, highlighting it as part of a greater diplomatic effort in the Pakistani capital. The talks come as Islamabad plays host to a crucial round of peace talks between the United States and Iran, scheduled for this Saturday.
Both American and Iranian delegations have arrived in the city ahead of these significant discussions, which are set to take place at the Serena Hotel—a venue tightly secured for the summit. The American delegation includes Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, while Pakistan is represented by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister.
The high-stakes talks are expected to address regional security concerns, with Prime Minister Sharif referring to them as "make or break" negotiations. Following a ceasefire agreement announced on April 8, the goal is to stabilize the fragile peace and navigate future regional security dynamics. On Saturday morning, the Iranian delegation departed for the Prime Minister's Office to begin formal talks with Sharif.
Iran's Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref underscored the ideological importance of these talks, stating that the outcome would depend largely on the American approach. He suggested that if the US delegation embraces a "America First" stance, the prospects of an agreement beneficial to both sides and the broader global community remain strong. However, Aref warned that a stance aligned with "Israel First" would lead to failure, with Iran prepared to intensify its defense efforts and escalate global tensions.
As the talks unfolded, a US aircraft carrying the negotiation team landed in Islamabad, signaling the gravity of the proceedings. The Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, arrived under tight security, with their aircraft escorted by AWACS early warning systems, fighter jets, and electronic warfare aircraft. This level of protection was deemed necessary as the Iranian team entered Pakistani airspace.
With only 15 days for these critical discussions, the outcome of the talks will likely shape the future of the regional ceasefire. The next 48 hours will be pivotal in determining whether these negotiations lead to a long-term diplomatic resolution or a renewed conflict in the region. ( With Agency Input)
