A fresh round of talks between Iranian and American negotiators is expected to convene in Islamabad this Monday, according to Iranian officials familiar with the discussions. Delegations from both sides are likely to touch down in the Pakistani capital on Sunday, marking a significant step in renewed diplomatic efforts to cool tensions across West Asia.
This diplomatic push is being supported by regional heavyweights. Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. During their meeting, they discussed international strategies for de-escalation, with the Amiri Diwan noting that both leaders commended Pakistan’s central role in brokering these diplomatic solutions.
Back-channel engagements appear to be intensifying elsewhere as well. On Thursday, Pakistan’s Army Chief, Asim Munir, met with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Tehran. General Munir, who was received by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi upon his arrival on Wednesday, is reportedly working to pave the way for a second round of substantive talks after previous efforts stalled. There is a cautious sense of optimism among Pakistani officials that a breakthrough could be on the horizon, particularly regarding Tehran’s nuclear programme.
The upcoming "Islamabad Peace Talks" follow an earlier, albeit inconclusive, attempt on April 11-12 to resolve the 39-day conflict between the United States and Iran. These mediated sessions represent a historic milestone, serving as the first high-level, face-to-face negotiations between the two nations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Adding to the regional shift, US President Donald Trump has announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. This truce follows a period of heavy volatility along the Israel-Lebanon border and is being viewed as a vital precursor to a broader regional de-escalation. President Trump described his recent conversations with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "excellent," confirming that both leaders have committed to the temporary halt in hostilities. This pause in fighting comes at a critical juncture, providing a much-needed window for diplomacy to take centre stage in a region long gripped by instability.
Also read: Pakistan may host next round of US-Iran peace talks: White House
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