US-Iran peace talks begin in Pakistan as Vance meets Sharif

Islamabad positions itself as mediator as US-Iran negotiations begin, with uncertainty over format and prospects for a wider Middle East ceasefire

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Islamabad on Saturday, the former’s office said, adding that peace talks to end the Middle East war had “commenced”.

“As the Islamabad Talks commenced today, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with His Excellency JD Vance, Vice President of the United States of America,” the statement said.

“The Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan looks forward to continue its facilitation of both sides in making progress towards sustainable peace in the region.”

The meeting was confirmed by a U.S. vice presidential pool report, which said Vance was accompanied by top U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Also in the meeting were Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

Footage released by Pakistan showed Sharif greeting Vance warmly at the top of a staircase, before leading him to a room where chairs had been lined up for the delegations. The Pakistani and U.S. flags stood in the background.

The format of the talks between the U.S. and Iranian delegations remained unclear. In the past, Tehran and Washington have adopted an indirect talks method, using mediators to shuttle messages between them during negotiations.

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