PM, CDF discuss mediation efforts, capital under unprecedented security lockdown and closely monitored dialogue
The United States has imposed new sanctions on Iran. PHOTO: ANADOLU
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan is set to host what could prove to be one of the most important 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 left thousands dead and pushed the global economy to the brink of recession.
Just three days after a fragile, hard-won ceasefire, the talks, scheduled for Friday, aim to determine whether the fragile truce can be transformed into a lasting peace deal. With tensions still simmering in 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 top Middle East envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. On the Iranian side, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf is expected to lead the delegation, alongside Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials.
The presence of such high-ranking figures underlines both the urgency and seriousness of the situation.
Islamabad was effectively put under an unprecedented security lockdown ahead of the talks. Major roads were closed, security personnel heavily deployed and surveillance increased to ensure the safety of visiting dignitaries. Officials say the negotiations will take place in a secure, undisclosed location, away from the media spotlight.
“Pakistan is a host and a mediator,” a senior official said, calling for restraint and responsibility in media coverage. “This is not a media spectacle. The objective is not the optics, but the results.”
Indeed, officials stressed that Pakistan’s role is not to seek recognition but to facilitate meaningful dialogue between two adversaries who have remained locked in decades of hostility.
Even if the details of the negotiating framework remain closely guarded, diplomatic sources indicate that the two sides will initially hold separate meetings with their Pakistani interlocutors. Islamabad should act as an intermediary, shuttling messages and proposals between the two sides. However, the possibility of a direct face-to-face meeting between American and Iranian officials has not been ruled out.
The United States is believed to be entering the negotiations with a broad 15-point proposal. The plan would cover key concerns including Iran’s nuclear program, limiting ballistic missile development, security of maritime routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, and broader regional stability.
Iran, for its part, would present a 10-point framework focused on securing firm guarantees against future military actions, a gradual reduction of the U.S. military footprint in the region, new arrangements governing the Strait of Hormuz, and a comprehensive regional de-escalation mechanism.
Despite diplomatic momentum, the ceasefire itself remains fragile.
Meanwhile, ahead of the all-important talks, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Force Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir met Prime Minister Sharif to review the progress of the mediation efforts.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, civilian and military leaders expressed satisfaction with the de-escalation achieved so far, but stressed that maintaining the ceasefire would require sustained restraint from all parties.
They reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to provide “full support” to facilitate a negotiated settlement and stressed the importance of transforming the current pause in hostilities into a lasting peace framework.
Sources reveal that at a critical moment, the ceasefire was on the verge of collapse following Israeli strikes. However, Pakistan intervened diplomatically, persuading Tehran to exercise restraint and avoid retaliation that could have reignited a full-scale conflict.
This behind-the-scenes role has further strengthened Pakistan’s position as a key diplomatic player in a moment of global crisis.
Still, officials remain cautious about expectations.
“This is a process, not an event,” said a diplomat close to the preparations. “There are deep trust deficits, complex issues and multiple stakeholders. Progress is possible, but it is not guaranteed.”
