The United States and Iran are preparing for direct negotiations this Friday in Islamabad, marking the first face-to-face discussions since hostilities began, according to sources briefed on the arrangement.
President Trump announced Tuesday that both nations had agreed to a two-week ceasefire, with formal peace negotiations to follow. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi subsequently confirmed Tehran's commitment to the framework.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt cautioned that details remain fluid. "There are discussions about in-person talks, but nothing is final until announced by the President or the White House," she said.
Vice President Vance is expected to lead the American delegation in Islamabad, a shift from the behind-the-scenes role he has played alongside White House envoy Steve Witkoff throughout the conflict. Witkoff has been the administration's primary diplomatic point person with Iranian counterparts, with Vance providing support from Washington.
Pakistani cooperation proved essential to arranging the ceasefire. Trump and Araghchi both publicly credited Pakistan's prime minister and Field Marshal Asim Munir for their intermediary work. A senior U.S. official noted that Vance had developed a working relationship with Munir, positioning him well to lead talks on Pakistani soil.
Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who has served as a senior adviser on Middle East matters, has also participated in the diplomatic effort.
The two-week pause provides a narrow window for the sides to negotiate terms of a broader agreement. Success would require bridging significant gaps on core issues that have defined the conflict. The choice of Pakistan as a neutral venue signals an effort to create space for candid discussions away from the capitals directly involved.
Timing of the talks, just days after Trump's ceasefire announcement, suggests momentum behind efforts to reach a settlement. Whether Friday's opening round produces meaningful progress will shape expectations for subsequent rounds and the broader trajectory of negotiations.
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