Iranian negotiators have arrived in Pakistan ahead of peace talks with the US due to take place this weekend, says Iran state media
ISLAMABAD: US Vice President JD Vance warned Iran on Friday against trying to “play” Washington, as he set off for talks in Islamabad aimed at transforming a fragile ceasefire into a lasting peace deal.
Despite the temporary truce struck between the foes, deep disagreements remain as to the way forward, and both sides have accused the other of failing to properly implement the current agreement.
“If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we’re certainly willing to extend the open hand,” Vance told reporters before taking off from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
But “if they’re going to try to play us, then they’re going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive”, he said.
Since the ceasefire took effect, US President Donald Trump has voiced displeasure at Iran’s handling of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which was meant to be reopened, while Tehran has reacted angrily to Israeli attacks in Lebanon, insisting that it too falls under the agreement.
Official sources say the talks in Islamabad will cover several sensitive points, including Iran’s nuclear enrichment and the free flow of trade through the strait.
Late Friday evening, all routes leading to the Serena Hotel, the expected venue, were blocked off with heavy security, while a large banner and digital signs along the expressway heralded the “Islamabad Talks”.
Iran has suggested that its participation could hinge on a halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon: “The holding of talks to end the war is dependent on the US adhering to its ceasefire commitments on all fronts, especially in Lebanon,” said Esmaeil Baqaei, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson.
Iranian officials have said the Israeli strikes had rendered the Pakistan talks “meaningless”.
Nevertheless, Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards signalled they were committing to the ceasefire and had “not launched anything at any country”, according to the state broadcaster.
In a barrage of social media posts that sparked fears for the shaky truce, Trump on Thursday accused Iran of doing a “very poor job” of allowing oil through the Strait of Hormuz and of breaching the terms of their ceasefire agreement.
But Vance, who is leading the US delegation alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, told reporters: “We’re going to try to have a positive negotiation.”
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Their arrival comes after US President Donald Trump says he wished Vice President JD Vance luck as the US delegation heads to the region
Vance tells reporters that he is “looking forward to negotiations” but cautions if Iran doesn’t act in “good faith” and attempts to “try to play us” the US won’t be receptive
Earlier, Iran’s parliament speaker says a ceasefire in Lebanon must happen “before negotiations begin”, throwing uncertainty over the status of the talks and displaying their complexities, our diplomatic correspondent writes
Meanwhile, Lebanese officials say negotiators will meet with an Israeli delegation in Washington on Tuesday to discuss a ceasefire and the potential for opening wider talks but Israel says those talks won’t include a ceasefire with the militant group Hezbollah, which operates in the country
There has been confusion over whether the US and Iran’s two-week ceasefire includes Lebanon – here’s everything we know
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