The United States and Iran hold their first face-to-face meeting in decades, marking an important moment for the marathon encounter between the two countries
ISLAMABAD:
Mediated by Pakistan, senior Iranian and U.S. officials held 14-hour talks on Saturday, including the first highest-level face-to-face meeting since 1979, in Islamabad, seeking to iron out key differences ranging from the Strait of Hormuz to a host of broader strategic issues. However, the marathon negotiations have not yet reached their logical end.
As a result, talks would continue today (Sunday), as confirmed by Iranian government official X on Sunday.
A brief statement issued by the Iranian government hinted at progress in the high-stakes negotiations brokered by Pakistan.
“Iran-US talks mediated by Pakistan ended after 2 p.m. Technical teams from both sides are currently exchanging expert texts. Negotiations will continue despite some remaining differences,” the statement said.
The U.S. delegation included Vice President JD Vance, President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner. While the Iranian side was led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was also part of the delegation.
There has, however, been no statement from the host country Pakistan on the status of negotiations till the filing of this report.
Some observers believe that the extension of negotiations into the third round is in itself considered progress. In addition, the first direct meeting at the highest level between Iran and the United States is also considered a significant step forward.
The White House confirmed that trilateral discussions, involving Pakistani interlocutors, had taken place, describing the process as “historic” given the mediating role played by Islamabad.
The talks, which took place entirely behind closed doors and under heavy security, marked the most serious face-off between Tehran and Washington since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iranian state media reported that during the negotiations, the two sides exchanged plans and proposals. Iranian media close to the IRGC said the standoff continued in the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States wanted joint control of the key waterway through which 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes.
Since the war, Iran has effectively controlled the strait and Tehran has insisted it will not compromise on this.
The second phase of the talks involved direct engagement at the leadership level, followed by a third phase in which technical experts from both sides took over to deliberate on the finer details of the competing proposals.
Despite cautious optimism, Iranian state media have acknowledged that differences persist, particularly on sensitive issues such as maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
Sources also confirmed that negotiations continued late into the night from Saturday to Sunday, underscoring the intensity and urgency of the diplomatic effort.
The officials asserted that Islamabad would continue to play its role as facilitator, expressing hope that the ongoing engagement would mark a step towards de-escalation and eventual resolution of a long-standing conflict that has had broad regional and global implications.
In Washington, US President Donald Trump told reporters that it would make no difference to him if a deal was reached with Iran. “No matter what happens, we win,” Trump said as he left the White House for Florida, later adding: “Whether we make a deal or not, it makes no difference to me.”
Vice President JD Vance is in Pakistan negotiating with Iranian officials, which the president acknowledged has been going on “for many hours.”
“We have totally defeated this country and so let’s see what happens,” Trump said. “Maybe they’ll make a deal, maybe they won’t, it doesn’t matter. From America’s point of view, we win.”
Before the negotiations, separate meetings were held between the visiting delegations and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who expressed hope that both sides would move forward in a “constructive manner.”
The capital was effectively placed under security lockdown, with limited access to key areas and an unusually high presence of law enforcement.
The flow of information remained tightly controlled, with journalists, although arriving in large numbers from around the world, receiving minimal formal briefings.
A media facilitation center has been set up at the Jinnah Convention Centre, where international and local journalists are stationed while awaiting updates on developments.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump spoke out on social media, saying Iran was “losing badly” and asserting that the Strait of Hormuz would be “open soon”, a remark analysts see as part of Washington’s negotiating position.
For his part, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a message on X that the country’s high-level delegation to Pakistan “firmly protects Iran’s national interests” and will continue to engage with determination.
