The Iranian delegation for talks with the United States arrived in Islamabad late Friday night under an extensive air security shield, with fighter jets, AWACS early warning systems and electronic warfare aircraft escorting their plane through Pakistani airspace.
The high-security arrival reflects the fragile and tense backdrop to the talks, which Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has described as “make or break” for efforts to stabilise the region following last week’s ceasefire announcement.
According to Al Jazeera, the Iranian aircraft was provided a full-circle protective cover as it entered Pakistan, amid concerns over potential threats in an already volatile regional environment.
Who is part of the US and Iran delegations
The Iranian team is led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. In a post on X, Iran’s Embassy in India said, “Iran’s negotiating team led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf arrives in Islamabad. Accompanying Qalibaf are Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Defense Council Secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Central Bank Chief Abdolnaser Hemmati, and several lawmakers.”
The US delegation is headed by Vice President JD Vance, with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner also part of the team, as per Al Jazeera.
The Iranian delegation was received in Islamabad by Pakistan’s Chief of the Army Staff Asim Munir, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi.
Islamabad locks down as talks begin
Security across Islamabad was tightened ahead of the talks, with roads leading to the Red Zone barricaded. The area houses Parliament, key government buildings, embassies and major hotels where the delegations are expected to stay.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council had earlier indicated that discussions could continue for up to 15 days following the ceasefire announcement on April 8.
What is at stake in the negotiations
At the heart of the talks is a sharp divergence over competing proposals. Iran has put forward a 10-point plan, while the United States has floated a 15-point framework aimed at easing tensions between the two sides.
The US position includes demands that Iran commit to never developing nuclear weapons, halt uranium enrichment within its territory, and transfer existing enriched uranium stockpiles to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Other elements include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending support for regional groups such as Hezbollah and the Houthis, and accepting limits on missile capabilities, alongside monitoring of nuclear infrastructure.
Iran, however, has insisted on conditions such as lifting all sanctions, terminating UN Security Council and IAEA resolutions, maintaining control over the Strait of Hormuz, and securing compensation, according to details shared by Iran in India on X.
US President Donald Trump has described parts of Iran’s proposal as “workable”, even as earlier responses from American officials appeared mixed. Vice President Vance had dismissed a public version of the proposal as a “random yahoo in Iran submitting it to public access television”, as quoted by Al Jazeera.
Trump later clarified the US stance, saying, “There is only one group of meaningful ‘POINTS’ that are acceptable to the United States, and we will be discussing them behind closed doors during these Negotiations.”
Regional tensions continue despite ceasefire
The talks are taking place amid continuing instability in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said operations in Lebanon would continue despite the ceasefire.
Earlier on Friday, an Israeli air strike on a residential building in southern Lebanon reportedly killed three people and destroyed the structure, underscoring the fragile security situation surrounding the negotiations.