US-Iran peace talks in Pakistan: Who is attending, who is skipping meeting in Islamabad

The meeting comes in the immediate aftermath of a fragile ceasefire in West Asia, announced just ahead of a deadline set by US President Donald Trump.

Updated on: Apr 10, 2026, 12:05:59 IST

Edited by Shivya Kanojia

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Pakistan will host a high-stakes diplomatic engagement involving the United States and Iran over the weekend, but even before the talks begin, uncertainty hangs over who will actually show up.

US-Iran peace talks in Pakistan today.

The meeting comes in the immediate aftermath of a fragile ceasefire in West Asia, announced just ahead of a deadline set by US President Donald Trump, who had earlier threatened sweeping strikes on Iran’s infrastructure. Get LIVE updates here

Who will attend?

Washington has made its participation clear. The White House confirmed that Vice President JD Vance will lead the American delegation. He will be accompanied by Trump’s top envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner.

Also read | Mojtaba Khamenei signals new Strait of Hormuz phase amid shaky ceasefire: ‘Not seeking war, won’t forfeit rights’

On the Iranian side, the situation is far less straightforward. Earlier indications suggested that Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi would lead the delegation. Ghalibaf, notably, is a former commander of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard.

Iran's Mehr news agency later reported that the country has dismissed claims that any negotiating team has reached Islamabad.

The agency claimed that reports by some media outlets that an Iranian negotiating delegation has arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, to hold talks with US officials are completely false.

Also read | Trump warns of escalation if Iran deal fails, says US forces to remain deployed: 'Shootin' starts...'

Negotiations remain suspended until the United States upholds its commitments regarding the ceasefire in Lebanon and the Israeli regime stops its attacks, the agency further noted.

Pakistan’s role as a go-between

Amid the uncertainty, Pakistan has positioned itself as a crucial intermediary. In recent weeks, it has acted as a channel for communication between Tehran and Washington — a role shaped both by its ties with the US and its sensitivity to developments in neighbouring Iran.

The diplomatic push is unfolding against the backdrop of a widening regional conflict. The war began after Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran that killed its supreme leader on February 28. Iran responded with retaliatory attacks targeting Gulf nations and Israel.

The situation further escalated when Iran-backed Hezbollah entered the fray, prompting Israeli strikes in Lebanon, including in the capital, along with a ground offensive in the south.

It was this rapidly spiralling conflict that prompted urgent mediation efforts, including from Pakistan, to prevent further escalation.

While the ceasefire has temporarily halted direct confrontation, it remains fragile. Iran’s stance — linking any negotiations to US commitments and developments in Lebanon — suggests that the path to dialogue is far from smooth.

For now, while the US delegation is set and ready, Iran’s participation remains uncertain, leaving the proposed Islamabad talks hanging in the balance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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