Tensions persist ahead of US-Iran ceasefire discussions in Islamabad, where both delegations have convened without a settled format. Options include direct engagement or isolated rooms with Pakistani intermediaries ferrying proposals, reflecting deep mutual distrust.
Iran’s 71-strong contingent, headed by Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, arrived late Friday and held talks with PM Shehbaz Sharif the next day. US representatives are housed nearby but unlikely to meet directly. Reports suggest separate accommodations to facilitate message exchanges via neutral hosts.
Stark differences define the standoff. Tehran demands control over the Strait of Hormuz and no curbs on uranium enrichment. In contrast, President Trump demands near-total nuclear disarmament, declaring the strait must reopen regardless of Iran’s stance. ‘We’ll ensure passage at any price,’ he affirmed.
Ghalibaf adopted a guarded tone, highlighting failed prior negotiations plagued by US violations. ‘We’re here with positive intent but no illusions about America’s history of broken promises,’ he remarked. He conditioned progress on US sincerity toward Iranian sovereignty, threatening retaliation against any bad-faith tactics.
This Pakistani-hosted summit arrives amid heightened regional volatility. With delegations dug in, outcomes hinge on whether mediators can bridge ideological chasms. Failure here could escalate military posturing, while success might pave the way for broader de-escalation.
