JD Vance and Bagher Ghalibaf expected to lead their respective delegations again
Pakistan has begun preparations for a likely second round of talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad to end a war that has crippled energy supplies and daily life in the Middle East region, two government sources familiar with the developments said. Anadolu Wednesday.
Pakistan took center stage when it brokered a 14-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran, followed by high-stakes talks in Islamabad attended by senior delegations from both countries. Although the talks have not yielded the expected results, the ceasefire remains intact and speculation about a second round of negotiations continues to grow.
“Preparations have already started yesterday (Tuesday), in particular to ensure foolproof security,” the sources said.
President Donald Trump struck an optimistic tone Tuesday about the prospects for resuming direct negotiations between the United States and Iran, saying they could resume in Pakistan within the next two days. However, the deadlines are unlikely to be met.
“Something could happen in the next couple of days, and we’re more inclined to go for it,” Trump said, referring to likely talks with Iran and Pakistan.
However, sources in Islamabad said the much-awaited meeting is likely to begin by the end of this week or early next week.
They added that the luxury hotel, which hosted the first round of Islamabad talks, “will once again welcome foreign guests”.
Pakistan hosted delegations led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf this weekend for the highest-level direct talks between Washington and Tehran since 1979.
The Pakistani sources said Vance and Ghalibaf would likely lead their delegations in the expected second round of negotiations.
The negotiations, called the “Islamabad Talks”, concluded on Sunday without result.
Pakistani sources added the possibility of low-level talks between US and Iranian officials before “paving the way for a high-level meeting”.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar are currently out of the country due to their regional tour until Saturday.
“Therefore, the chances of a high-level meeting this week are unlikely,” a source said, referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East.
Pakistan hosted talks after securing a two-week ceasefire between the United States, Israel and Iran on April 8, which remains in effect.
The joint US-Israeli war against Iran has left some 3,300 dead and hundreds of thousands displaced in Iran, while 13 US service members have been killed and hundreds more injured during the 39-day war since February 28.
