ISLAMABAD (The Thursday Times) — United States Vice President JD Vance arrived in Pakistan on Saturday to lead high-stakes negotiations with Iran aimed at turning a fragile ceasefire into a lasting resolution after six weeks of intense conflict across the Middle East. The visit marks one of the most significant diplomatic efforts in years, with Islamabad emerging as the venue for direct engagement between Washington and Tehran.
A US government aircraft carrying senior American officials landed in Islamabad as preparations intensified for talks intended to end the six-week conflict, which has caused widespread casualties, disrupted energy flows, and shaken global markets.
US Vice President JD Vance has landed in Islamabad for make-or-break peace talks with Iran, where he was received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.#IslamabadTalks pic.twitter.com/rJhfMEoSVI
— The Thursday Times (@thursday_times) April 11, 2026
Vance was joined by special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner, forming the core of the American delegation tasked with negotiating terms for a more durable peace framework. The talks are being held amid heightened regional tensions and tight security in the Pakistani capital, underscoring the stakes involved in the diplomatic effort.
The negotiations follow a fragile ceasefire that has held for several days but remains vulnerable to breakdown, with both sides entering talks cautiously and with competing demands. Analysts say the outcome of the Islamabad discussions could determine whether the truce evolves into a broader diplomatic settlement or collapses into renewed confrontation.
Pakistan’s role as host and facilitator places Islamabad at the centre of a complex geopolitical moment. Officials hope the talks will move beyond immediate de-escalation and toward structured negotiations addressing sanctions, regional security concerns, and long-term stability.
For Washington, the delegation led by Vance represents an attempt to translate a temporary halt in hostilities into a durable framework. For Tehran, the discussions offer a chance to test diplomatic channels after weeks of confrontation.∎
