Iranian-American negotiations begin today, Saturday, in the Pakistani capital, which succeeded in reaching a temporary ceasefire agreement for two weeks, after a forty-day American-Israeli aggression.
The American and Iranian delegations are scheduled to meet with Pakistani officials to discuss the draft. Then, in the second and sensitive phase, the American delegation will meet with the Iranian delegation in the presence of Pakistani officials, namely: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, along with some of their aides.
US Vice President J.D. Vance and envoys Steve Wittkopf and Jared Kushner arrived in Islamabad to conduct negotiations.
The Iranian negotiating delegation is led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, Secretary of the Defense Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, and a number of members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament).
The delegation also includes security, political, military, economic, and legal committees. The US delegation is led by Vice President J.D. Vance and envoys Steve Wittkopf and Jared Kushner.
Pakistani efforts
In a related context, the Pakistani Prime Minister affirmed that his government is making every effort to ensure that today’s negotiations between the US and Iranian delegations are successful and bring good and security to the region, noting that Pakistan’s role is to exert efforts and endeavors, but the results are not in its hands, and therefore it is not possible to talk now about the results of the negotiations.
In an address to the Pakistani people, Sharif stated that his government had exerted considerable effort over the past weeks, engaging with both sides of the conflict and exchanging views with officials in various countries. Thanks to these efforts and with God’s help, they were able to secure a two-week ceasefire. He noted that his country had continued its efforts in this regard, and the result was evident today, with both delegations arriving in Islamabad. There is anticipation regarding the future, but nothing is known. He emphasized that whatever the outcome, his country would strive to prevent the conflict from escalating into a full-blown war that would engulf the entire region.
Sharif pointed out that reaching this point was not easy, as there were many significant obstacles, but the Pakistani leadership dealt with the issue with great prudence, precision, and calmness, until it was able to convince both sides to cease fire and begin direct negotiations.
Strait of Hormuz
On the fourth day of the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, US President Donald Trump told the New York Post that reopening the Strait of Hormuz was a key element of any ceasefire agreement, ahead of the anticipated negotiations on Saturday in Islamabad.
He explained that Washington would know the chances of success of the talks with Iran within about 24 hours, noting that the warships were being supplied with the best ammunition to resume strikes in case the Pakistan talks failed.
In a related development, CNN quoted a US official as saying that Washington expects the Islamabad negotiations between Washington and Tehran to be both direct and indirect.Iran, America, Pakistan
T.A.
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