US Vice President JD Vance left for Islamabad on Friday ahead of planned talks with Iran, expressing cautious optimism about the outcome. He said President Donald Trump has set clear parameters for the negotiations and warned that Washington would not respond positively if Tehran attempts to manipulate the process. Vance added that the United States remains open to dialogue if Iran engages sincerely.
However, uncertainty continues to surround the talks as reports suggest that the Iranian delegation has not yet departed for Pakistan. According to Iranian media outlets, including Tasnim, Mehr and Fars, neither Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi nor Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has left for Islamabad. These reports also dismissed claims that Iranian officials had already arrived in Pakistan.
The fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran, agreed upon earlier this week, appears increasingly uncertain. Tensions have been further aggravated by recent Israeli strikes on Lebanon that reportedly killed around 300 people and injured many others.
Pakistan is preparing to host the high-level discussions in Islamabad over the weekend, having played a role in facilitating the initial truce. Security has been tightened significantly around the venue, which is located near key government offices and diplomatic missions.
Amid these developments, Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran over reports that it may impose charges on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. He cautioned Tehran against introducing any such fees, emphasizing that it should immediately halt the move if it is being considered. The concern stems from the strategic importance of the waterway, through which nearly one-fifth of global oil supply is transported.
The upcoming talks come against the backdrop of a two week pause in hostilities that followed weeks of intense conflict in the region. Pakistan is acting as a mediator between Washington and Tehran, although the situation remains tense due to disputes over the Strait of Hormuz and continued regional violence.
The Iranian delegation is expected to be led by Abbas Araghchi and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, while the US side will be headed by JD Vance. The American team is also likely to include senior figures such as special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The discussions are expected to take place at Islamabad’s Serena Hotel, which has been secured for the duration of the talks.
Despite the ceasefire, Kuwait has accused Iran and allied groups of carrying out drone strikes targeting its territory. Saudi Arabia has also reported damage to a key oil pipeline during recent attacks. The pipeline plays a crucial role in transporting oil to the Red Sea while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, which remains under Iran’s influence.
Delegations from both sides are expected to meet in Islamabad as scheduled, although questions remain over whether the negotiations will proceed as planned.
