The US delegation led by JD Vance is about to arrive, official confirmation from Iran is still awaited, efforts are underway to ensure
ISLAMABAD:
Islamabad is set to host the second round of high-stakes talks between Iran and the United States after the White House announced on Sunday that a US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance would visit Pakistan this week.
Vance will be joined by President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner.
A week ago, Iranian and American officials conducted marathon 21-hour negotiations that ended without result. However, between the last cycle and the upcoming session, significant behind-the-scenes work appears to have taken place, raising cautious hopes for progress.
The development once again places Pakistan at the center of a sensitive diplomatic effort to defuse tensions in the Gulf, even as uncertainty persists over Iran’s participation and the fate of a temporary ceasefire that expires on Wednesday.
If Washington has confirmed its delegation, Tehran has not yet officially approved the process. Iran’s official IRNA news agency rejected reports of its participation, calling them “incorrect” and accusing the United States of making “unnecessary and excessive demands” while frequently changing its position.
The Iranian side also cited continued US sanctions, the naval blockade of Iranian ports and what it described as “threatening rhetoric” as major obstacles to meaningful negotiations.
In a statement shared on Telegram, IRNA said that under such circumstances, the prospects for a constructive dialogue did not appear promising.
Adding to the ambiguity, media outlets affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have also expressed doubts that Tehran will send a delegation, although sources suggest Iranian officials could still arrive in Islamabad as early as Tuesday.
Diplomatic uncertainty comes against the backdrop of a new escalation at sea.
President Trump claimed that U.S. naval forces fired on and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that was attempting to circumvent a U.S.-imposed blockade in the Gulf of Oman, marking a significant spike in tensions over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global waterway.
Despite rising tensions, Washington has indicated that talks will continue. In a statement on Sunday, Trump confirmed the visit of his representatives to Islamabad.
“My representatives are going to Islamabad, Pakistan, they will be there tomorrow evening for negotiations,” he said.
Referring to recent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump claimed that Iran had violated the ceasefire by opening fire, saying some shots were directed at a French ship and a British cargo ship.
He also criticized Iran’s decision to close the strait, calling it “strange” and arguing that an existing blockade had already effectively closed the route.
“They are helping us without knowing it, and they are the ones who are losing with the closed passage, $500 million a day. The United States is not losing anything,” Trump said, adding that several ships were now being redirected to American ports.
In a stern warning, the US president said Washington was offering Tehran a “very fair and reasonable deal”, but warned that failure to accept it could have serious consequences.
“We are offering a very fair and reasonable deal, and I hope they accept it, because if they don’t, the United States is going to destroy every power plant and every bridge in Iran,” he said.
He added that it would be his “honor to do what must be done,” concluding: “It is time for the Iranian killing machine to end.”
Diplomatic sources say Pakistan has stepped up its behind-the-scenes efforts to ensure both sides remain engaged, positioning itself as an “honest broker” and trusted intermediary.
People familiar with the process suggest that while public discourse from Washington and Tehran has hardened, much of it is aimed at domestic audiences rather than reflecting the actual state of the negotiations.
“The process is ongoing and, by most accounts, is moving in a positive direction,” one source said, cautioning however that key contentious issues remain unresolved and will require further deliberations.
Meanwhile, Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been placed on alert ahead of the expected arrival of foreign delegations. Advance teams have already begun landing, triggering a massive security operation in the Twin Cities.
The authorities have deployed more than 18,000 security personnel in Islamabad, plus 7,000 reinforcements from Punjab. Police, Rangers and Frontier Corps units were mobilized, while the red zone was cordoned off and several security checkpoints established around key areas, including hotels reserved for VVIP guests.
Despite increased security and mixed signals from Tehran, diplomats remain cautiously optimistic. They believe both sides retain a real intention of reaching a negotiated settlement, even if spoilers try to derail the process.
As Islamabad prepares to host what could prove to be a watershed round, expectations remain measured as a final deal will depend on whether Washington and Tehran can iron out their differences.
