The US and Iran began negotiations Saturday in Pakistan, days after a fragile, two-week ceasefire was announced, as the war that has killed 1000’s of individuals and shaken global markets entered its seventh week.
Iran’s state-run news agency said three-party talks had begun after Iranian preconditions, including a discount in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, were met, and after U.S. and Iranian officials met individually with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. There have been no immediate further details, nor U.S. comment.
The U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance and the Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf were discussing methods to advance the ceasefire already threatened by deep disagreements and Israel’s continued attacks against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“I cannot say whether or not they are sitting in the identical room or in separate rooms, but talks have began and are progressing well,” said one Pakistani official with knowledge of the peace efforts, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to refer to the media.
Iran sets ‘red lines’ including compensation for strikes
Iran doubled down on parts of its earlier proposal, with its delegation telling Iranian state television it had presented a number of the plan’s ideas as “red lines” in meetings with Sharif. Those included compensation for damage brought on by the U.S.-Israeli strikes that launched the war on Feb. 28 and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
The war has killed at the very least 3,000 people in Iran, 1,953 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and greater than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Iran’s chokehold on the vital Strait of Hormuz has largely cut off the Persian Gulf and its oil and gas exports from the worldwide economy, sending energy prices soaring. Attacks have caused lasting damage on infrastructure in half a dozen countries within the Middle East.
In Tehran, residents told The Associated Press they were skeptical yet hopeful in regards to the talks after weeks of airstrikes left destruction across their country of some 93 million people. Some said the trail to recovery can be long.
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“Peace alone is just not enough for our country, because we’ve been hit very hard, there have been huge costs,” 62-year-old Amir Razzai Far said.
Meanwhile, Israel pressed ahead with strikes in Lebanon after saying there isn’t any ceasefire there. Iran and Pakistan have disagreed. The Lebanese state-run news agency reported at the very least three people killed. There have been no reported strikes within the afternoon.
Officials posture over key issues ahead of talks
U.S. and Iranian officials claimed leverage and issued recent demands and preconditions as talks approached. President Donald Trump posted repeatedly on social media leading as much as Saturday, saying Iranian officials “haven’t any cards” to barter with.
“The one reason they’re alive today is to barter!” he wrote.
He accused Iran of using the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global energy supplies, for extortion, and told reporters Friday it will be opened “with or without them.”
On Saturday, Trump said on social media that the U.S. had begun “clearing out” the strait, nevertheless it was unclear whether he was referring to the reported use of mines there or Iran’s broader ability to manage the realm.
Islamabad was deserted as security forces sealed roads and authorities urged residents to remain inside.
Vance said Friday that the U.S. was optimistic in regards to the talks, but warned: “In the event that they’re going to try to play us, then they’re going to seek out that the negotiating team is just not that receptive.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said Tehran was entering negotiations with “deep distrust” after strikes on Iran during previous rounds of talks. Araghchi, who is a component of Iran’s delegation in Pakistan, said Saturday that his country was prepared to retaliate if attacked again.
Iran and the USA outlined competing proposals ahead of the talks reflecting the wide gulf on key issues.
Iran’s 10-point proposal called for a guaranteed end to the war and sought control over the Strait of Hormuz. It included ending fighting against Iran’s “regional allies,” explicitly calling for a halt to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah.
The US’ 15-point proposal includes restricting Iran’s nuclear program and reopening the strait.
Israel and Lebanon can have direct negotiations
Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are expected to start Tuesday in Washington, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s office said Friday, after Israel’s surprise announcement authorizing talks despite the countries lack of official relations.
Israel wants the Lebanese government to assume responsibility for disarming Hezbollah, very like was envisaged in a November 2024 ceasefire. But it surely is unclear whether Lebanon’s army can confiscate weapons from the militant group, which has survived efforts to curb its strength for a long time.
Israel’s insistence that the ceasefire in Iran does not include a pause in its fighting with Hezbollah has threatened to sink the deal. The militant group joined the war in support of Iran within the opening days. Israel followed up with airstrikes and a ground invasion.
The day the Iran ceasefire deal was announced, Israel pounded Beirut with airstrikes, killing greater than 300 people within the deadliest day in Lebanon for the reason that war began, in accordance with the country’s Health Ministry.
Strait of Hormuz stays a sticking point
Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz has proved its biggest strategic advantage within the war. Business vessels have avoided the strait, effectively blocking the passage of oil, natural gas and fertilizer.
The spot price of Brent crude, the international standard for oil prices, was above $94 on Saturday, up greater than 30% for the reason that war began.
Before the conflict, around a fifth of the world’s traded oil typically passed through the strait on greater than 100 ships a day. With the ceasefire in place, only 12 have been recorded transiting.
Iran has floated the concept of charging ships passing through as a part of a peace deal, though the concept has been widely rejected by countries including the USA and Iran’s neighbor Oman.