US and Iran Delegations Begin Peace Talks in Islamabad to End Middle East Conflict

US and Iranian officials have commenced peace negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan, aimed at ending the six-week-old conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

A US government plane carrying senior US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, landed in the Pakistani capital on April 11, 2026, marking the start of these talks.

The discussions seek to establish a permanent ceasefire following a war that has resulted in thousands of deaths across the Middle East.

The Iranian delegation includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Ghalibaf.

The conflict has caused significant casualties, including over 150 fatalities from a missile strike on the Shajarah Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab, southern Iran, attributed to a US military error involving incorrect targeting coordinates.

This human toll has been underscored by Iranian officials during the talks.

These negotiations are critical as they represent a major diplomatic effort to halt hostilities in a volatile region and prevent further loss of life.

Pakistan is playing a facilitative role, with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar calling for constructive engagement from both sides.

The Iranian delegation has emphasized the human cost of the conflict by presenting images of bloodstained belongings of children killed in the Minab airstrike, symbolically accompanying them to Islamabad.

A notable development in the talks is Iran's request to include Lebanon in the ceasefire agreement, which could influence the scope and progress of the negotiations.

The arrival of US Vice President JD Vance in Pakistan highlights the high-level commitment from Washington to resolve the conflict diplomatically.

Both delegations have gathered in Islamabad to begin formal discussions.

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