Iranian delegation with Pakistan’s leadership ahead of peace talks with US
Iranian negotiators presented their terms during a meeting with Pakistan’s prime minister, according to reports. Iran also said a ceasefire in Lebanon remained a basic demand. Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran had conveyed its position to Pakistani officials involved in the mediation. Trump said oil tankers were “heading, right now, to the United States to load up with the best and ‘sweetest’ oil (and gas!) anywhere in the World.”
The US delegation is being led by vice president JD Vance, along with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner- president Donald Trump’s son-in-law. The Iranian side is led by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi. Several difficult issues are part of the negotiations. Tehran has demanded an end to attacks, compensation for previous strikes and assurances that such attacks will not happen again. It has also called for the withdrawal of US forces from the region and the lifting of long-standing sanctions. Ahead of the talks, President Donald Trump made a series of social media posts, taking a strong position on the situation. He suggested that the US energy sector could benefit if Iran restricts movement through the Strait of Hormuz.
One of the main concerns is Iran’s nuclear programme, especially the status of its enriched uranium after last year’s US and Israeli strikes on nuclear facilities. Before the conflict, Iran’s ballistic missile programme was also a major issue, along with its support for armed groups in the region, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen and Hamas in Gaza.
There has been “some headway” in discussions, particularly on developments in Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera. Israeli operations may now be limited to southern areas, with no further strikes expected in Beirut, according to the report. However, a confirmation is awaited.