Latest news from Iran-US talks in Islamabad/Iranian delegation begins talks with high-ranking Pakistani officials/Possibility of direct Iran-US talks

Latest news from Iran-US talks in Islamabad/Iranian delegation begins talks with high-ranking Pakistani officials/Possibility of direct Iran-US talks/Talks likely to begin in the afternoon/Testing “diplomacy” again and the possibility of “diplomatic history-making” in Pakistan

Shafaqna- In a tense atmosphere, the Iranian delegation arrived in Islamabad on Minab 168 flight headed by Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, to hold fateful talks with US representatives. The talks are scheduled to begin today (Farvardin 12) at 12 noon Tehran time in the Pakistani capital, with the presence of the security, political, economic and legal committees of the two countries.

Iranian delegation begins talks with high-ranking Pakistani officials

Al Jazeera announced: The Iranian negotiating team began its talks with Pakistani officials at various levels, including the Prime Minister and the Army Chief, shortly after arriving in Pakistan.

Latest status of possible Iran-US talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, according to an Iranian reporter

Tasnim's dispatch reporter says: The Iranian team will meet with the Pakistani Prime Minister at 13:00 today and the possible talks are this afternoon. The talks have been planned for one day so far and the CNN news is unrealistic.

A group of journalists from different media outlets around the world have gathered in Islamabad, Pakistan to cover issues related to possible Iran-US talks

Possibility of direct talks between Iran and the US

Shafaqna's assessments indicate that if the conditions for holding the talks are met and the necessary progress is made, it is likely that the talks between Iran and the US will be held directly and face-to-face, given the presence of high-ranking delegations from both countries (the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament and the Vice President of the US) in Pakistan.

Arrival of the US delegation in Islamabad

Reuters quoted Pakistani sources as saying: Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, US envoys, arrived in Islamabad to negotiate with Iran.

Talks will probably begin in the afternoon

Tasnim's correspondent in Islamabad, Pakistan wrote: Despite the fact that some sources had announced that the Iran-US talks would be held in Islamabad, Pakistan at 8 am local time, we are still a few hours away from these possible talks. It seems that the delegations will first meet separately with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and then possible talks will begin. Accordingly, the talks will probably be in the afternoon, and the news that some sources had reported that the talks would begin at 8 a.m. is not true.

Wall Street Journal: US continues to strengthen its military in the Middle East in parallel with the talks

The Wall Street Journal reported, citing American officials, that Washington continues to send troops to the Middle East for possible operations. This is while preparations for talks with Iran are underway in Pakistan and the delegations will begin their work in the next few hours.

Reuters: Tehran's agenda in the talks includes requesting significant concessions

According to the Shafaqna translation service from Reuters, Tehran's agenda in the talks includes requesting significant concessions; including the lifting of sanctions that have pressured the country's economy for years, as well as the recognition of Iran's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz; where Tehran plans to collect tolls from the passage of ships and control access—something that could mean a major shift in the regional balance of power.

Iranian ships passed through the strait without hindrance on Friday, while ships from other countries remained restricted.

Pakistan: All parties should participate in the talks with a constructive approach

According to Shafaqna from ISNA, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry announced in a statement that a high-ranking delegation from the Islamic Republic of Iran, headed by Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and attended by Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi, has arrived in Islamabad.

According to the statement, the visit is being carried out within the framework of efforts to hold talks aimed at resolving tensions and exploring ways to reduce conflicts with the United States.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry further expressed the hope that all parties would participate in these talks with a constructive approach and pursue the path of dialogue as the main solution.

Islamabad also reiterated its readiness to play a facilitating role and announced that it would continue its efforts to help achieve a permanent and sustainable solution to the crisis.

Presence of Iranian delegation in Pakistan

According to Shafaqna, with the arrival of a high-ranking delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan, the regional diplomacy scene has entered a new phase. The delegation consists of Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of the Parliament, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister; Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Secretary of the Supreme Defense Council; and Abdolnaser Hemmati, Governor of the Central Bank. Some media outlets report the possibility of the presence of the CENTCOM commander in the US negotiating team, and Sardar Ahmadian, a member of the Supreme Defense Council, is also present in the Iranian delegation.

Upon arrival in Pakistan and at the country's airport, the Iranian delegation was welcomed by senior Pakistani officials, including Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the country, and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Commander of the Pakistani Army.

American delegation in Pakistan

On the other hand, the American delegation, headed by J.D. Vance, Vice President, and accompanied by Steve Witkoff (Special Envoy) and Jared Kushner (Trump's son-in-law), has arrived in Islamabad. This is the highest level of diplomatic contact between the two countries since the 2015 nuclear deal.

Negotiations likely to begin at Serena Hotel in Islamabad

The Iranian delegation headed by Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf will meet with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif this afternoon. If the Americans accept the Iranian delegation's preconditions, negotiations will begin at Serena Hotel in Islamabad.

Negotiations likely to be held directly and indirectly

According to CNN, the Islamabad negotiations are expected to be pursued simultaneously through two channels, "direct" and "indirect".

Shafaqna's assessments also indicate that if the conditions for holding the talks are met and the necessary progress is made, it is likely that the Iran-US negotiations will be held directly and face-to-face, given the presence of high-ranking delegations from both countries (the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament and the Vice President of the US) in Pakistan.

Qalibaf: We have good intentions, but we do not trust

Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, upon arriving at Nur Khan Airport, pointed to past records and emphasized: “Unfortunately, our experience of negotiating with the Americans has always been met with failure and breach of contract. Twice in less than a year, in the middle of negotiations, despite the Iranian side’s good intentions, they attacked us and committed numerous war crimes. We have good intentions, but we do not trust.”

The Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly warned the American side, adding: “If the other side is ready to make a real agreement and recognize the rights of the Iranian people, they will find us fully prepared to agree; but if they want to use the negotiating table for a fruitless show or a deception operation, we are ready to assert our rights by relying on the nation’s strength and "God willing, we will achieve it."

Informed sources announced that the official start of the talks is subject to Washington accepting Iran's preconditions. The simultaneous presence of the Iranian parliament speaker and high-ranking American representatives in a third country is a sign of seriousness in testing the path of diplomacy at a time when regional tensions are at their peak.

Sources close to the negotiations have emphasized that Lebanon is one of the challenging points, because Iran wants a ceasefire in Lebanon, while Israel continues its operations in the country.

Why are these talks different?

1. High level of representation: The direct presence of senior officials from the two countries indicates the unprecedented seriousness of the parties.
2. Global economic pressure: Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz and rising oil prices have created a powerful incentive to reach an agreement.
3. Multilateral role: China and Pakistan's support for the mediation process has increased the diplomatic weight of the negotiations.
4. High risk of failure: Given the history of treaty violations and regional tensions, any stalemate could lead to a rapid escalation of the conflict.

Russia calls for a responsible approach from all sides in the Pakistan talks

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on the situation in the Middle East: Moscow calls on all participants in the talks on Iran, which are scheduled to be held in Pakistan, to demonstrate a responsible approach and refrain from any actions that could derail these talks.

Russia stressed on Friday that the talks provide an opportunity to resolve the crisis in the Persian Gulf region.
Moscow calls for the resolution of all disputes between the countries through political and diplomatic means.
Axios claims: The Lebanese and Trump governments have asked Israel to stop its attacks before the start of Israeli-Lebanon talks

Axios claimed: The Lebanese and Trump governments have asked Israel to “stop” its attacks on Beirut before direct talks between Israel and Lebanon begin next week; This was stated by two informed sources.

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