US-Iran talks in Pakistan delayed amid ceasefire strain

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New Delhi/Islamabad, April 11

High-level talks between the United States and Iran in Pakistan have been delayed and are now likely to be held later in the evening, according to Iranian media. A US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance reached  Islamabad for the first direct engagement with Iranian representatives in more than a month, amid efforts to stabilise a fragile ceasefire, the media reports further said.

The Iranian team, headed by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, arrived in Pakistan’s capital early on Saturday. He said talks would only proceed if Israel halts its operations in Lebanon and if frozen Iranian assets are released.

The ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, remains under strain. Cross-border exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon have continued, complicating diplomatic efforts.

Before the delegation’s departure, US President Donald Trump expressed confidence, saying Washington would assess the situation, while claiming Iran had been weakened militarily.

In Islamabad, security was tightened ahead of the talks. Roads were sealed, and residents were urged to remain indoors, leaving parts of the city unusually quiet.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the conflict had entered a “difficult phase”, describing the moment as critical in determining whether a temporary truce could lead to a lasting agreement.

Vance, speaking before leaving Washington, said he expected “positive” discussions but warned the US would not respond kindly to any attempt to undermine negotiations.

With PTI inputs