Middle East Crisis Iran War

Delegations in place – but talks are hanging by a thread

Delegations from both Iran and the US have now arrived in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, several media outlets report. But whether the planned peace talks will actually take place is still unclear.

Iran has demanded that the country's frozen assets first be released and that the Shia militia Hezbollah in Lebanon be included in the current ceasefire, in order to even sit down at the negotiating table, writes TT.

US Vice President JD Vance, who is leading the American delegation, said before his departure that he hoped for positive negotiations.

– If they (Iran) try to manipulate us, they will discover that our negotiating delegation is not receptive, said Vance.

Iran meets Pakistani Prime Minister – discussed conditions for US talks

The Iranian delegation met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday ahead of the planned peace talks with the US in Islamabad, writes AFP. According to Iranian media, the conditions for the peace talks were discussed during the meeting, and it remains for the delegation to decide whether to move on to talks with the Americans.

After the meeting, Sharif also met with the US delegation.

Iran has previously set an ultimatum that the current ceasefire be extended to also include Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, which US Vice President JD Vance has ruled out.

AFP notes that both parties are indeed present in Islamabad, but that they seem to be far apart on a number of key issues and that there is great mistrust. Sharif has also signaled that the talks will be far from easy, if they even take place.

Source: US releases frozen assets – White House denies

An Iranian source told Reuters that the US has agreed to release frozen Iranian assets in banks in Qatar, among others. The decision is interpreted, according to the source, as a sign that the US is serious about the planned peace talks in Pakistan. The release of assets has been one of Iran's demands in order to sit down at the negotiating table at all.

According to the source, the released assets are directly linked to Iran agreeing to guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Shortly after Reuters reported the news, the news agency wrote that the information was denied by the White House.