The negotiations began Saturday at a hotel in Islamabad. Pakistani officials are acting as mediators. The talks aim to end a six-week conflict that has disrupted global energy supplies and caused thousands of casualties.
A Pakistani source said the pace of the talks has been slower than expected and could extend longer than initially planned. The discussions moved into an expert-level phase, with technical committees from both sides joining the negotiations.
US Vice President JD Vance is leading the American delegation. He is joined by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, a senior adviser to President Donald Trump. Officials from the National Security Council, State Department and Defense Department are also supporting the talks, according to a US official.
Iran’s delegation is led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The Iranian team consists of about 70 members, including economic, security and political experts.
Before the direct talks began, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met separately with both delegations. Sharif said he hoped the negotiators would engage constructively and that the talks would serve as a step toward lasting peace in the region.
Iran has set several conditions for the negotiations. According to Pakistani sources and Iranian state media, these include the unfreezing of Iranian assets held in foreign banks, an immediate stop to attacks including in Lebanon, permission for civilian nuclear energy use, and payment for reconstruction.
Iranian state TV reported that the US side has agreed to release Iran’s frozen assets. However, a US official denied that any such agreement had been reached.
The status of the Strait of Hormuz remains a major sticking point. Iran has effectively blocked the waterway, through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil passes. US President Donald Trump said on social media that the US has started “clearing out” the strait. US Central Command said two Navy warships transited the strait on Saturday as part of an operation to clear mines.
Trump said he did not care whether the talks in Islamabad would go well or not, as he threatened to continue military action. In a separate statement, Trump said US military vessels near Iran are being reloaded with ammunition in case the talks fail.
Iranian media reported that the talks have moved into a critical phase, with officials warning this may be a last chance for Tehran to secure a framework agreement.
The conflict began on Feb. 28 when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran. More than 3,000 people have been killed in Iran, according to reports. In Lebanon, Israeli strikes have killed nearly 2,000 people since March, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.
A two-week ceasefire was brokered earlier this week. But Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon have continued, and Iran has said it does not accept that a full ceasefire is in place.
Security in Islamabad remains tight. The Jinnah Convention Center is filled with local and foreign journalists covering the talks. Police have set up checkpoints and closed roads near the hotel where the negotiations are taking place.