The United States and Iran have commenced direct ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad, marking their first face-to-face diplomatic engagement since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The high-level talks, hosted by Pakistan, are aimed at securing a ceasefire in the widening conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East.
The US delegation is led by Vice President JD Vance, who held preliminary discussions with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ahead of the formal negotiations.
On the Iranian side, senior officials including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are participating in the talks, alongside engagements with Pakistani authorities.
Officials say Pakistan is acting as a mediator, facilitating dialogue between the two longstanding adversaries and positioning itself as a key diplomatic bridge in efforts to de-escalate the crisis.
The Islamabad meeting is widely regarded as a significant breakthrough, given the absence of direct US-Iran engagement for more than four decades. Analysts believe the outcome could shape the direction of the ongoing regional conflict and influence broader global stability.
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The talks are taking place amid continued violence across the region, including clashes in southern Lebanon involving Israeli forces and Hezbollah-linked groups. Ongoing strikes and cross-border exchanges highlight the fragile security environment even as diplomatic efforts intensify.
While details of the negotiation agenda remain undisclosed, expectations are high that the discussions could lay the groundwork for a formal ceasefire if consensus is reached.
Further developments are expected as talks continue in the Pakistani capital.
