Prime Minister and CDF discuss mediation efforts, capital under unprecedented security lockdown and dialogue closely followed
The United States imposed new sanctions on Iran. PHOTO: ANADOLU
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan will host what could prove to be one of the most consequential diplomatic engagements in recent history, as top leaders from the United States and Iran arrive in Islamabad for high-stakes negotiations after a devastating six-week war that has left thousands dead and pushed the global economy to the brink of recession.
Just three days after a fragile and difficult ceasefire, the talks, scheduled for Friday, aim to determine whether the tenuous truce can be transformed into a lasting peace agreement. With tensions still simmering across the Middle East, the Islamabad dialogue is being closely watched by world capitals as a critical test of conflict diplomacy.
The US delegation will be led by Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by former President Donald Trump’s key Middle East envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. On the Iranian side, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf is expected to lead the delegation, along with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials.
The presence of such high-level figures underlines both the urgency and seriousness of the situation.
Islamabad has effectively been placed under an unprecedented security lockdown ahead of the talks. Key routes have been sealed, large security personnel deployed and surveillance intensified to ensure the safety of visiting dignitaries. Authorities say negotiations will take place at a secure, undisclosed location, away from media attention.
“Pakistan is a host and a mediator,” said a senior official, urging restraint and responsibility in media coverage. “This is not a media spectacle. The goal is not the optics, but the results.”
Indeed, officials have emphasized that Pakistan’s role is not to seek recognition but to facilitate meaningful dialogue between two adversaries that have remained locked in decades of hostility.
While the details of the negotiating framework remain closely guarded, diplomatic sources indicate that both sides will initially hold separate meetings with Pakistani interlocutors. Islamabad is expected to act as an intermediary, sending messages and proposals between the two sides. However, the possibility of a direct face-to-face meeting between US and Iranian officials has not been ruled out.
The United States is believed to be entering the talks with an expansive 15-point proposal. The plan reportedly covers key concerns, including Iran’s nuclear program, restrictions on ballistic missile development, the security of sea lanes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, and overall regional stability.
Iran, for its part, is said to present a 10-point framework focused on ensuring firm guarantees against future military actions, a gradual reduction of the US military footprint in the region, new agreements governing the Strait of Hormuz and a comprehensive regional de-escalation mechanism.
Despite the diplomatic push, the ceasefire itself remains fragile.
Meanwhile, ahead of the important talks, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces, met Prime Minister Sharif to review the progress of mediation efforts.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, both civilian and military leaders expressed satisfaction with the reduction in tension achieved so far, but emphasized that maintaining the ceasefire would require sustained restraint by all parties.
They reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to provide “full support” to facilitate a negotiated settlement and stressed the importance of converting the current lull in hostilities into a lasting peace framework.
Sources reveal that at a critical moment, the ceasefire was on the brink of collapse following the Israeli attacks. However, Pakistan intervened diplomatically, persuading Tehran to exercise restraint and avoid retaliatory actions that could have reignited a full-scale conflict.
This behind-the-scenes role has further elevated Pakistan’s position as a key diplomatic player at a time of global crisis.
However, officials remain cautious about expectations.
“This is a process, not an event,” said a diplomat familiar with the preparations. “There are deep trust deficits, complex issues and multiple stakeholders. Progress is possible, but not guaranteed.”
