U.S.-Iran talks underway in Islamabad after delegations arrive

The United States and Iran began peace talks Saturday with government officials in Pakistan as the war entered its seventh week.

The talks took place as two American warships transited through the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the start of the conflict. The U.S. Central Command said the warships were taking part in a mission to clear the waterway of sea mines put in place by Iran.

The tri-lateral negotiations seek to cement a two-week ceasefire that began Tuesday but which has come under strain as Iran continues to block most shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical chokepoint for oil and gas supplies. Tehran also reiterated a list of preconditions for the talks.

Two rounds of talks have taken place in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, between the negotiating teams, and a third round is scheduled for later Saturday, The New York Times reported. The White House has confirmed to MS NOW that negotiations are ongoing.

An Iranian delegate in Islamabad told MS NOW: “Talks have gone well so far. America is listening to us.” 

U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s team landed in Islamabad early Saturday and was met by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump‘s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

The official X account of the government of Pakistan has released a muted video showing U.S. Vice President JD Vance shaking hands with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The U.S. press pool traveling with Vance was not permitted to cover the event as it remained closed to the press.

“Commending the commitment of both delegations to engage constructively, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that these talks would serve as a stepping stone toward durable peace in the region,” the Pakistani government said in a statement. “The Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan looks forward to continue its facilitation of both sides in making progress towards sustainable peace in the region.”

Pakistan’s foreign ministry said the Iranian delegation led by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in the capital, Islamabad, late Friday.

The government of Pakistan shared in posts on X that Sharif held meetings with the Iranian delegation, “led by the Speaker of the Iranian Consultative Assembly, Mr. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, assisted by Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Abbas Araghchi.”

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar “expressed the hope that parties would engage constructively, and reiterated…