Islamabad Talks: Iran and U.S. Move to Expert-Level Discussions Under Pakistan’s Watch
Islamabad Talks: Iran and U.S. Move to Expert-Level Discussions Under Pakistan’s Watch
High-level trilateral meetings in Islamabad have shifted to technical committees. As JD Vance and Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf lead their respective camps, the focus turns to sanctions, security, and the vital Strait of Hormuz.
The diplomatic air in Islamabad is thick with both hope and "deep distrust." After initial face-to-face rounds on April 11, the negotiations between the United States and Iran have officially entered a specialized "expert-level phase."
Key Players at the Table
This summit marks the first direct, high-level, in-person engagement between Washington and Tehran since 1979. The American delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, includes President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner.
On the Iranian side, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf leads the team alongside Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Serving as the vital bridge is Pakistan’s military leadership, notably Field Marshal Asim Munir, whose relationship with Donald Trump has been pivotal in securing this opening.
Competing Roadmaps: 10 vs. 15 Points
The negotiations are currently a battle between two distinct frameworks. Iran has presented a 10-point proposal that emphasizes "sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz," reparations for strike damages, and an immediate end to Israeli operations in Lebanon.
In contrast, the U.S. has countered with a 15-point roadmap. Washington’s priorities focus on a "complete, immediate, and safe opening" of the Strait of Hormuz, stringent limits on uranium enrichment, and the withdrawal of Iranian support for regional proxies.
- Financial: Negotiating the unfreezing of $6 billion in assets (reportedly held in Qatar) and wider sanctions relief.
- Maritime: Addressing Iran's proposal for a $2 million "transit fee" per ship in the Strait of Hormuz—an idea the U.S. has termed "extortion."
- Military: Defining the scope of the ceasefire, particularly whether it extends to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon.
- Nuclear: Establishing the baseline for enrichment monitoring as demanded by President Trump.
Trump’s Hardline Posturing
While his negotiators are at the table, Donald Trump has maintained his signature "maximum pressure" rhetoric. His recent social media warnings that the Strait of Hormuz would be opened "with or without" Iran's cooperation serves as a psychological anchor for the talks.
This duality—negotiating directly while threatening "total demolition" if deadlines are missed—defines the 2026 diplomatic landscape. It forces Tehran to choose between a negotiated settlement and the risk of a renewed, more devastating air campaign against its domestic infrastructure.
Pakistan: The "Neutral" Facilitator
Pakistan’s emergence as the primary mediator is a strategic masterstroke for Islamabad. By hosting the talks at the Serena Hotel and providing a "Media Facilitation Center" at the Jinnah Convention Centre, Pakistan is projecting itself as a stabilizing regional power.
However, the role is fraught with risk. With a 920km border with Iran and a deep defense pact with Saudi Arabia, any collapse in the Islamabad Talks could drag Pakistan into the crossfire. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s hope that these talks serve as a "stepping stone toward durable peace" is as much about Pakistan's economic survival as it is about Middle Eastern stability.
Policy Assessment & Outlook
The shift to expert-level discussions suggests that the "breakdown" scenario has been avoided for now. However, the path remains fragile. The most significant obstacle remains the Israel-Lebanon dimension; Iran insists on a ceasefire there, while the U.S. maintains that Israel will only "restrain" actions during the talks without a formal truce.