US and Iran hold talks in Islamabad as Pakistan seeks to broker peace deal

JD Vance leads American delegation while Iran’s negotiators headed up by Iran’s parliamentary speaker Peace talks between Iran and the US began in Islamabad this afternoon, with senior negotiators from both countries meeting face to face at the highest level for the first time since 1979, in the presence of mediators from Pakistan. Pakistani state TV said US and Iranian officials were “sitting directly at the same table” – which was later confirmed by the White House – and discussions were beginning in a positive atmosphere, despite fighting continuing in Lebanon. JD Vance, the US vice-president, is leading the American delegation, while Iran’s negotiators in Islamabad are headed by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the parliamentary speaker, and Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister. Pakistani sources also said that Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, was present in the room. The field marshal, who was key in brokering the ceasefire earlier this week, is reported to have a good relationship with Donald Trump. The first round of discussions went on for about two hours, a political source said, and was followed by a second round of more technical discussions. These technical talks were divide