U.S.-Iran talks begin in Pakistan as war’s fragile ceasefire holds

The United States and islamic republic of iran began negotiations on sat in islamic republic of pakistan, years after a fragile, two-week ceasefire was proclaimed, as the war that has killed thousands of people and shaken global markets entered its seventh week.

Iran's state-run news agency said three-party talks had begun after Iranian preconditions — including a reduction in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon — were met and after U.S. And Iranian officials met separately with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. There were no immediate further details, nor U.S. Comment.

The U.S. Delegation led by Vice-President JD Vance and the Iranian delegation led by parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf were discussing how to advance the ceasefire already threatened by deep disagreements and Israel's continued attacks against the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The Lebanese state-run news agency reported Saturday that Israel was pressing ahead with strikes in southern Lebanon, killing at least three people. Iran said discussions would only take place if there is a ceasefire in Lebanon and blocked Iranian assets are released.

Despite little public information, the talks are reportedly moving along.

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"I cannot say whether they are sitting in the same room or in separate rooms, but talks have started and are progressing well," said one Pakistani official with knowledge of the peace efforts, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

Iran doubled down on parts of its earlier proposal, with its delegation telling Iranian state television it had presented some of the plan's ideas as "red lines" in meetings with Sharif. Those included compensation for damage caused by the U.S.-Israeli strikes that launched the war on Feb. 28 and releasing Iran's frozen assets.

Iran's 10-point proposal called for a guaranteed end to the war and sought control over the Strait of Hormuz. It included ending fighting against Iran's "regional allies," explicitly calling for a halt to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah.

The Americans' 15-point proposal includes restricting Iran's nuclear program and reopening the strait.

The war has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, 1,953 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. It has largely cut off the Persian Gulf from the global economy, sending energy prices soaring and damaging infrastructure in half a dozen countries in the region.

In Tehran, residents told The Associated Press they were skeptical yet hopeful about the talks after six weeks of airstrikes carved a path of destruction across their country.

Shahab Banitaba questioned whether the United States could be trusted to uphold any agreement. "If we get concrete and final results, there is still a chance that the deal falls through," he said.

"Peace alone is not enough for our country, because we've been hit very hard, there have been huge costs," Amir Razzai Far said.

U.S. President Donald Trump posted repeatedly on social media leading up to Saturday, saying Iranian officials "have no cards" to negotiate with. He accused them of using the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global energy supplies, for extortion. (Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz has proved its biggest strategic advantage in the war. Commercial vessels have avoided the strait, effectively blocking the passage of oil, natural gas and fertilizer.)

"The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!" Trump wrote.

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In the hours leading up to the negotiations, Trump also wished Vance good luck. "We'll find out what's going on. They're militarily defeated."

Vance arrived in Islamabad at the head of a delegation that includes special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

In Islamabad, the streets of a normally bustling capital were deserted on Saturday as security forces sealed roads ahead of the talks.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Foreign Affairs Minister Ishaq Dar, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi received the U.S. Delegation on Saturday.

The ministry said in a statement that Dar commended the U.S. Commitment to achieving lasting regional and global peace and stability.

He expressed hope that the parties would engage constructively and reiterated Pakistan's desire to continue facilitating efforts toward a lasting and durable resolution to the conflict.

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Pakistan's government has set up a state-of-the-art media centre to facilitate Pakistani and foreign journalists covering the talks between the U.S. And Iran, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said.

Tarar told reporters that the facility at the Jinnah Convention Centre offers high-speed internet and a range of free services to support media coverage. Shuttle services have been arranged to transport journalists between the media centre and a hotel in the city's main shopping mall.

Pakistan has announced visa-on-arrival for journalists and official delegations travelling from the U.S. And Iran for the negotiations, which have been dubbed the "Islamabad talks."

Inside the media centre, rows of workstations equipped with laptops and charging points allow reporters to file stories. Large screens broadcast major domestic and international television channels. The facility also has designated areas for live stand-ups, press briefings and interviews.

Meanwhile, negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are expected to begin Tuesday in Washington, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s office said on Friday, as Israeli strikes killed at least three people on Saturday. No strikes were reported later on Saturday.

Israel wants the Lebanese government to assume responsibility for disarming Hezbollah, much like was envisaged in a November 2024 ceasefire. But it is unclear whether Lebanon's army can establish a monopoly on arms or confiscate weapons from the militant group, which has resisted efforts to curb its strength for decades.

The Lebanese National News Agency reported multiple Israeli strikes early Saturday in the south of the country, killing at least three people. The three were killed when an airstrike hit and destroyed a residential building in the town of Mayfadoun, in the southern province of Nabatieh, according to the agency.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, said it fired a barrage of rockets that targeted a military facility in northern Israel.

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