Islamabad hosts high-stakes US-Iran peace talks

High-level negotiations between the United States and Iran are set to begin in Islamabad, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif describing the talks as a “make-or-break moment” for global peace.

The discussions come after weeks of behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts by Pakistan to bring both sides to the negotiating table amid rising tensions in the region. Addressing the nation in a televised speech, Sharif urged citizens to pray for the success of the negotiations, stressing that their outcome could determine whether the world moves toward stability or further conflict.

A senior Iranian delegation led by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad late Friday night. They were received by Ishaq Dar along with senior Pakistani officials, including Syed Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi.

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The United States delegation will be led by Vice President JD Vance, who indicated that Washington remains open to diplomacy if Tehran engages in good faith. However, Donald Trump has warned that failure of the talks could lead to renewed military escalation.

Iran, meanwhile, has signaled that progress will depend on addressing several key demands, including a ceasefire in regional conflict zones and the release of frozen Iranian assets.

Security across Islamabad has been significantly tightened ahead of the talks, with restricted movement in key areas and heavy deployment of law enforcement personnel.

For Pakistan, hosting the negotiations represents both an opportunity to strengthen its diplomatic standing and a test of its ability to mediate between two longstanding adversaries.