Iranian delegation led by President Ghalibaf lands in Islamabad, US Vice President Vance is on the way
Pakistani leaders welcome Iranian delegation for talks with the United States in Islamabad on Friday evening. —SCREEN CAPTURE
ISLAMABAD:
As senior figures from the United States and Iran prepare to hold historic talks in Islamabad on Saturday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the high-stakes talks as “a defining moment” for peace.
Despite earlier uncertainty and competing claims over the terms of the ceasefire, talks are continuing as planned amid an unprecedented security lockdown in the federal capital.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf landed in Pakistan late on Friday night, the Foreign Ministry said.
The delegation was received by Deputy Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister Ishaq Dar along with National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Defense Forces Chief and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Home Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, the statement added.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that Ghalibaf is leading the delegation, which includes Foreign Minister Araghchi, Defense Council Secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Central Bank chief Abdolnaser Hemmati and some members of parliament.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the nation in a televised address, describing the upcoming talks as a “defining moment” for peace.
“I ask everyone to pray that these talks succeed, countless lives are saved and the world sees peace,” the prime minister said, underlining the seriousness of the situation and Pakistan’s role as a mediator at a critical time.
Pakistan has been working behind the scenes for weeks to bring both sides to the negotiating table.
Officials familiar with the diplomatic efforts say Islamabad leveraged its ties with Washington, as well as its secondary contacts with Tehran, to create conditions conducive to dialogue.
In his speech, Shehbaz singled out Field Marshal Asim Munir and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for their role in easing tensions and facilitating engagement between the two adversaries.
He credited them with helping to “douse the flames of war,” a public recognition of civil-military coordination on sensitive diplomatic initiatives.
The talks will formally begin on Saturday and both delegations will arrive under tight security in Islamabad.
The capital has seen increased security measures over the past 48 hours, with movement limited in key areas and an increased presence of law enforcement personnel, reflecting the high-profile nature of the visit.
From the United States, Vice President JD Vance leads the delegation.
Speaking before leaving for Pakistan, Vance struck a cautiously optimistic tone and said Washington was open to dialogue if Iran showed sincerity.
“If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we are certainly willing to extend an open hand,” he told reporters, echoing a broader US position that leaves the door open to diplomacy while maintaining pressure.
However, Washington’s messages are far from uniform. President Donald Trump has combined calls for negotiations with stern warnings of further military action if talks fail.
In an interview with a US media outlet, Trump said the US was prepared to escalate the situation if necessary.
“We will know in about 24 hours. We will know soon,” he said, adding that Washington had already begun preparations for a possible military response.
Trump also expressed skepticism about Iran’s intentions, suggesting that mixed signals from Tehran raised doubts about its willingness to compromise, particularly on the contentious issue of nuclear enrichment.
On the Iranian side, expectations are tempered by clear preconditions.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has publicly stated that negotiations cannot continue unless certain demands are met, including a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s frozen financial assets.
Diplomatic observers note that both sides appear to be hardening their stances as a tactic and public posture.
However, analysts believe that even a preliminary engagement would mark significant progress given the current level of hostility.
For Pakistan, hosting the talks represents both an opportunity and a challenge.
Islamabad has long sought to position itself as a credible mediator in regional and global conflicts, and the success of these negotiations could significantly improve its diplomatic standing.
At the same time, a failure could expose the limits of his influence and underscore the deep mistrust that continues to define U.S.-Iran relations.
Officials remain cautious and were not willing to divulge any details. There has been an unprecedented level of secrecy surrounding the talks.
The Prime Minister, for his part, stated in his speech that Pakistan “will ensure that these talks are successful by using its best efforts”, although he acknowledged that the final outcome remains uncertain.
