Islamabad, Apr 10 : US Vice President JD Vance on Friday left for Pakistan to participate in peace talks with Iran to end their war, even as there was no official word about the arrival of the Iranian delegation in Islamabad, which has been placed under high security.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while announcing a two-week ceasefire on Wednesday, had said that the US and Iran would hold talks in Islamabad on April 10. He had tagged the presidents of the US and Iran in his statement on X.
Before he departed for Pakistan, Vice President Vance said he was looking forward to the negotiations with Iran and that he expected the Islamabad talks to be “positive.”
He also said President Donald Trump gave him “some pretty clear guidelines” on negotiations.
“As @POTUS said, if the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we’re certainly willing to extend the open hand. If they’re going to try to play us, then they’re going to find that the negotiating team is not that receptive,” Vance said before boarding the plane.
There was no word about when the Iranian delegation would arrive, but social media was abuzz with reports that Pakistan had set up a special security corridor to escort the delegation from Iran.
The talks are now scheduled to be held on Saturday, according to official sources, a day later than the date set by Prime Minister Sharif.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran has threatened to withdraw from the Islamabad talks if Israeli attacks on Lebanon do not cease.
In a post on X on Friday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is likely to be part of the high-profile delegation, said that two conditions must be met before the start of negotiations.
“Two of the measures mutually agreed upon between the parties have yet to be implemented: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s blocked assets prior to the commencement of negotiations. These two matters must be fulfilled before negotiations begin,” he said.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who held a telephone call with the country’s ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad Reza Shibani, asserted that the US must live up to its ceasefire commitments, which he said included ensuring the truce covers Lebanon.
Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amir Moghadam, on Thursday confirmed that a 10-member Iranian delegation would arrive in Islamabad.
“Despite skepticism of Iranian public opinion due to repeated ceasefire violations by the Israeli regime to sabotage the diplomatic initiative, invited by Hon PM Shehbaz Sharif, Iranian delegation arrives tonight in Islamabad for serious talks based on 10 points proposed by Iran,” he said on X on Thursday.
Hours later, he deleted the statement amidst the deteriorating situation in Lebanon, which was subjected to aerial attacks by Israel, calling it a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had said that the Israeli attack on Lebanon blatantly violated the initial ceasefire and would render negotiations meaningless.
Officials have not provided any timeline for the arrival of delegates due to security reasons, adding to the mystery.
Despite uncertainty, Pakistan geared up to host the two sides.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday announced “Visa on Arrival” for delegates and journalists travelling to Pakistan for talks. This facility, extended for the duration of the talks, does not cover third-country nationals.
“Pakistan welcomes all delegates, including journalists from participating nations, travelling in relation to the Islamabad Talks 2026. To this end, all airlines are requested to permit boarding to all such individuals without a visa. Immigration authorities in Pakistan will issue them Visa on Arrival,” Dar posted on social media Friday morning.
A thick security blanket covered the capital, Islamabad, which was on ‘red alert’ ahead of talks.
More than 10,000 police and security personnel have been deployed to ensure multi-layered security for the visiting delegates, officials said.
The Red Zone, housing key buildings, is being protected by the army and the Rangers, and only authorised officials and residents are allowed to go through it.
The upcoming negotiations are being closely watched globally, as their success or failure could have far-reaching implications for West Asia’s security, global energy markets, and international diplomacy.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reviewed the security arrangements in Islamabad ahead of the arrival of the Iranian and US delegations.
Naqvi directed that all possible measures be taken for the security of the incoming delegations.
He was told that the Red Zone had been sealed, and a control room had been established in the ministry to monitor the situation.
Police also set up special checkpoints at the entrances and exits of the city, while all patrol units and special squads are patrolling throughout the city, and police are taking all possible measures to protect the lives and property of citizens. (PTI)
