JD Vance Leads US Delegation to Historic Iran Negotiations in Pakistan: Key Issues at Stake

Tensions climbed as U.S. and Iranian delegations arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, in rapid succession to begin the first full-scale talks aimed at formally ending the war since the ceasefire.

On April 11 (local time), the U.S. delegation landed at Nur Khan Airbase outside Islamabad, the capital of mediator Pakistan. Vice President JD Vance led the team. Envoys already on the ground — including Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff and former White House adviser Jared Kushner — joined the reception.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported the U.S. delegation numbered roughly 300, including security and support personnel.

Senior Pakistani officials personally greeted the Americans: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Army Chief Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi headed the reception. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said it would provide constructive support to help secure a sustainable resolution to the conflict.

The talks are slated to take place at the Serena Hotel, a five-star property in central Islamabad. Authorities have installed barricades around the capital’s Red Zone and deployed large numbers of military and police forces to secure the area.

The Iranian delegation arrived the previous night on a civilian flight. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi lead the team, which Tasnim estimated at about 70 people. The New York Times reported Iran also dispatched a larger delegation that includes Ali Akbar Ahmadian, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, and the central bank governor.

Analysts say the size of both delegations suggests these talks go beyond initial probing and are likely nearing a final negotiation phase.

Inside Iran, observers noted that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei appears to have delegated negotiation authority to Speaker Ghalibaf. Iran’s first vice president said Ghalibaf speaks for the nation, signaling centralized authority.

Both sides have already met separately with Pakistan’s prime minister to coordinate negotiation details.

Formal talks had not begun at the time of reporting; local media said substantive meetings were likely to start after 5 p.m. Some outlets expected a single-day session, while others predicted the negotiations could stretch for weeks.

CNN and Axios reported the talks may start indirectly and later shift to direct, face-to-face meetings. If a high-level, in-person meeting occurs, it would mark the highest-level direct contact between the two countries since diplomatic ties were severed in 1979.

Negotiators are expected to address an end-of-war framework, resumption of transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran’s nuclear program. Iran is likely to press for sanctions relief, the return of frozen assets, and compensation for war damages.

Ahead of the talks, both sides exchanged tough rhetoric. Vice President Vance issued a warning to Iran before departure, while Iran insisted on the release of frozen assets and implementation of ceasefire conditions as preconditions.

Meanwhile, Tehran has enacted emergency measures, closing schools in the capital and placing civil servants on remote work. The risk of renewed military clashes during the talks remains a significant uncertainty.