Key US-Iran Talks In Pakistan Today Could End The War The long-awaited U.S.-Iran peace talks are set to take place in Islamabad today, marking a critical moment in the ongoing conflict. Iranian officials have emphasized the importance of the meeting, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf leading the 70-member delegation. The Iranian side has expressed cautious optimism, though they remain skeptical of U.S. intentions. Qalibaf stated that Tehran’s willingness to engage is clear, but trust in American commitments remains low. As a result, Iran has proposed several conditions for the talks, including halting Israeli aggression in Lebanon, ceasing military expansion in the Middle East, and addressing concerns over Iran’s nuclear program. The U.S. delegation includes Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witty, and Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, who is expected to play a key role in negotiations. Both sides have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, creating a window for dialogue. However, tensions remain high, with Iran demanding guarantees that the U.S. will not escalate military actions in the region. The talks are expected to focus on Iran’s nuclear activities, the security of the Hormuz Strait, and broader regional stability. Pakistan has taken extensive security measures to ensure the safety of the delegates. Thousands of police and military personnel have been deployed, with strict checkpoints and curfews in place. Schools, colleges, and markets have been closed, and private vehicles are banned in designated “red zones” near key government buildings, embassies, and hotels. The Pakistani government has also declared official holidays on Thursday and Friday to facilitate the talks. Despite the logistical efforts, skepticism persists.#pakistan #us #iran #abbas_araghchi #mohammad_bagher_qalibaf
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf dismissed U.S. claims of ongoing negotiations with Tehran as "fake news," accusing Washington of attempting to manipulate global oil markets. In a statement posted on X, Qalibaf denied any discussions with the United States, asserting that such claims were part of a strategy to "escape the quagmire in which the U.S. and Israel are trapped." He emphasized that Iranian officials remained resolute in their support for the country’s supreme leader and vowed to pursue "complete and remorseful punishment of the aggressors." The remarks came in response to remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously claimed that Washington and Tehran had engaged in "very good and productive conversations" aimed at resolving hostilities in the Middle East. Trump stated that he had instructed the Department of Defense to delay military strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure for five days, contingent on the success of ongoing talks. He described the discussions as "very strong," involving his adviser Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, and suggested that Iran might be willing to abandon its nuclear ambitions in exchange for peace. Iranian state media and officials swiftly rejected Trump’s assertions, framing the U.S. pause in strikes as a tactic to "lower energy prices and buy time for the implementation of military plans." Fars and Tasnim news agencies criticized the claims as psychological warfare, arguing that Tehran would continue its defense efforts until "the required level of deterrence is achieved." They also dismissed the notion of negotiations, stating that Iran’s stance had remained consistent since the conflict began.#tasnim_news_agency #iranian_state_media #iranian_parliament_speaker #mohammad_bagher_qalibaf #fars_news_agency
