rki.news | Dawn News
Islamabad – US Vice President JD Vance departed for Islamabad on Friday to lead a high-level American delegation for talks with Iranian representatives, scheduled amid a fragile two-week ceasefire.
The talks follow a pause in hostilities after weeks of conflict triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran starting February 28. Pakistan has emerged as a key facilitator in easing tensions, with diplomatic efforts led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif contributing to the temporary halt in fighting.
Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews before departure, Vance expressed optimism about the upcoming dialogue, stating he looks forward to “constructive and positive” discussions in Islamabad. He revealed that US President Donald Trump had provided “clear guidelines” for the negotiations.
Vance emphasized Washington’s readiness to engage, noting that the United States remains open to meaningful dialogue if Iran approaches the talks in good faith. However, he cautioned that any attempt to delay or manipulate the process would not be well received by the US negotiating team.
The Islamabad talks are being closely watched globally, as they represent a rare opportunity to reduce tensions and potentially pave the way for a broader and lasting diplomatic breakthrough.