U.S. and Iranian Officials Hold Separate Talks with Pakistan's Prime Minister Amid Fragile Ceasefire

U.S. and Iranian delegations convened separately with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Saturday, amid a fragile ceasefire strained by continued hostilities in Lebanon. The U.S. delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, and the Iranian delegation, headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, engaged in discussions with Sharif, according to statements from Sharif's office and Iranian media. As of mid-afternoon, no direct talks between the U.S. and Iran had been announced.

Concurrently, Israel continued its airstrikes in Lebanon, challenging Iran's stipulation for a cessation of hostilities there as a precondition for broader negotiations. The Lebanese state-run news agency reported that Israeli strikes on Saturday resulted in at least three fatalities.

The ongoing conflict has led to significant casualties: over 3,000 in Iran, 1,953 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel, and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. The strife has also disrupted the Persian Gulf's connection to the global economy, causing energy prices to surge and damaging infrastructure across multiple countries in the region.

In Tehran, residents expressed cautious optimism regarding the talks after enduring weeks of airstrikes. Shahab Banitaba voiced skepticism about the reliability of any potential agreement, stating, "If we get concrete and final results, there is still a chance that the deal falls through."

Ahead of the negotiations, officials from both the U.S. and Iran asserted their positions and set forth new demands. President Donald Trump emphasized on social media that Iranian officials "have no cards" to negotiate with, accusing them of using the Strait of Hormuz for extortion. He remarked, "The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!"

Islamabad experienced heightened security measures on Saturday, with roads sealed and residents advised to remain indoors, rendering the typically bustling capital eerily quiet.

Vice President Vance expressed optimism about the talks but cautioned, "If they're going to try and play us, then they're going to find that the negotiating team is not that receptive."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi conveyed Tehran's deep distrust, citing previous strikes on Iran during earlier negotiations. Araghchi, part of Iran's delegation in Pakistan, warned that Iran was prepared to retaliate if attacked again.

In related developments, direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to commence Tuesday in Washington, as announced by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's office. Israel seeks the Lebanese government's commitment to disarm Hezbollah, a condition outlined in the November 2024 ceasefire. However, the Lebanese army's capacity to enforce this remains uncertain, given Hezbollah's longstanding resilience against disarmament efforts.

Israel's insistence that the ceasefire with Iran does not extend to its operations against Hezbollah poses a significant challenge to the broader peace process. The militant group joined the conflict in support of Iran during the initial days of the war.

On the day the truce was declared, Israel conducted airstrikes on Beirut, resulting in over 300 deaths—the deadliest day in Lebanon since the conflict began on February 28, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

President Trump indicated that he had requested Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reduce the intensity of the strikes.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran has emerged as a critical strategic factor in the conflict. Commercial vessels have been avoiding the strait, effectively halting the passage of oil, natural gas, and fertilizer. The spot price of Brent crude reached approximately $97 on Friday, marking an increase of over 30% since the conflict's onset.

Prior to the war, about 20% of the world's traded oil passed through the strait daily. With the ceasefire in place, only 12 ships have been recorded transiting the area.

Iran has proposed charging ships for passage through the strait as part of a peace agreement, an idea that has been widely rejected by the United States and neighboring Oman.