US Vice-President JD Vance Leads Peace Talks with Iran in Pakistan Amid Ceasefire Tensions
US Vice-President JD Vance has arrived in Pakistan to lead peace talks with Iran aimed at maintaining a fragile ceasefire and progressing peace negotiations.
The talks come amid mutual accusations of ceasefire violations between the two countries.
The US delegation, led by Vice-President Vance, departed Washington and landed at Nur Khan airbase near Islamabad.
Iran's delegation is expected to be led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.
Both delegations are staying at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad, where the talks are scheduled to take place under tight security.
The ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan, has been in place for two weeks but is reportedly on the brink of collapse, with both sides accusing each other of breaches.
The centre of Islamabad has been placed under lockdown with a three-kilometre security perimeter around the hotel hosting the talks.
These negotiations follow a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire after the US and Israel launched a war on Iran following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader in late February.
The talks aim to extend dialogue and keep the peace process alive despite deep divisions.
Vice-President Vance has warned Iran not to "play" the United States and emphasized that the US is willing to extend an "open hand" if Iran negotiates in good faith.
He also noted that US President Donald Trump provided clear guidelines for the talks.
Joining Vance are US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, who participated in earlier indirect talks with Iranian negotiators.
The format of the talks is expected to be indirect, with the US and Iranian teams in separate rooms and Pakistani officials shuttling messages between them.
Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has stated that two previously agreed measures-a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran's blocked assets-must be implemented before negotiations can proceed.
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