First Round of US-Iran Talks in Islamabad Concludes; Flexibility Evident During Two-Hour Discussion
The first round of ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Iran and the United States has concluded in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. During this meeting, which lasted for approximately two hours, both sides demonstrated a flexible approach toward advancing the dialogue.
According to sources, the atmosphere of the talks remained positive, paving the way for future rounds of negotiations. The initial round spanned two hours. According to media reports, during this session, Iran demanded an immediate halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
This meeting may continue tomorrow as well. This marks the first time in 47 years—specifically since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran—that leaders from both nations have engaged in face-to-face discussions at such a high level.
Earlier, Iran had stated that if the ongoing talks in Islamabad failed to yield a concrete outcome, Israel alone could not be held responsible. Given that the decisions of Israel and the United States are intertwined, the responsibility for any failure in the negotiations would also rest with the United States.
During this meeting, experts deliberated on issues spanning security, politics, military affairs, economics, and legal matters. The U.S. delegation was led by Vice President J.D. Vance, while the Iranian delegation was led by the Speaker of Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Pakistan’s Mediating Role
Throughout these negotiations, the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is playing a dual role: serving as both the host and the mediator. The Pakistani leadership has adopted a strategy of "proximity talks" to facilitate dialogue between the delegations of the two nations; under this arrangement, both sides are conducting discussions from separate rooms, with Pakistani officials acting as intermediaries to exchange messages between them.
Key Issues: Ceasefire and the Strait of Hormuz
At the core of these negotiations lie two primary issues: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the status of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has made it clear that it will not agree to any settlement that does not include Lebanon. Furthermore, Iran has demanded guarantees against any future military action. On the other hand, the United States has already warned that military action could resume if a peace agreement is not reached.
Talks to Proceed at the Expert Level
Following the initial round, the negotiations have now progressed to a technical level. Three separate committees—comprising political, economic, and legal experts—are currently engaged in in-depth discussions on the issue. This signals that the talks are not merely ceremonial but are moving toward a concrete agreement.
Negotiations May Continue
According to reports, these peace talks could be protracted and are likely to continue into the following day; however, this has not yet been officially confirmed. For the time being, dialogue between the two sides remains ongoing following the first round, and hopes for a diplomatic resolution persist.