Ahead of crucial ceasefire discussions between Washington and Tehran in Islamabad, Pakistani F-16 fighter jets were observed escorting a US Air Force Boeing C-32A aircraft carrying US Vice President JD Vance, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff through Pakistani airspace to Nur Khan Airbase.
Vance is set to engage with an Iranian delegation today, marking the highest-level direct talks between the US and Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, aiming to resolve the ongoing six-week conflict.
Representing Iran in these significant negotiations are Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Parliament Speaker, and Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister.
Despite the diplomatic efforts, there are lingering trust issues. Ghalibaf expressed caution, stating, “We have good intentions, but we lack trust. Our past negotiations with the Americans have been marked by failures and unkept promises.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called for constructive engagement from both sides, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating dialogue for a sustainable resolution.
Earlier, there were disagreements between the US and Iran regarding negotiation terms. The Trump administration proposed a 15-point plan requiring Iran to relinquish its highly enriched uranium and adhere to military constraints. In contrast, Iran put forward a 10-point proposal seeking compensation, acknowledgment of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, and the right to continue its nuclear activities with certain limitations, conflicting with US demands.
Meanwhile, Lebanon and Israel are gearing up for talks next week, following a temporary calm that reduced tensions after significant strikes posed a threat to the US-Iran negotiations.