The United States and Iran are preparing for high-level negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday as efforts continue to turn a fragile ceasefire into a longer-term agreement. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Vice President JD Vance will lead the US team, alongside Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The talks are expected to initially take place through intermediaries, although direct discussions between the two sides remain possible.
The planned meeting comes less than a day after the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran came under pressure over renewed Israeli military action in Lebanon.
Why Is The US-Iran Ceasefire Under Pressure?
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Washington of violating the understanding after Israel continued strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. He argued that proceeding with bilateral negotiations would be unreasonable while the Israeli campaign continued.
Vance, however, said the dispute appeared to stem from a misunderstanding. According to him, the ceasefire applied to the US-Iran conflict and did not include the fighting in Lebanon. Vance also said Israel had indicated it was willing to exercise some restraint in Lebanon to prevent the diplomatic process from collapsing.
What Will The US And Iran Discuss?
The negotiations are expected to focus on several major disputes, particularly Iran’s nuclear programme and the future of its uranium stockpiles. Washington wants Tehran to end uranium enrichment and surrender highly enriched uranium that the US considers a security threat. Iran, meanwhile, has previously insisted on retaining the right to enrich uranium.
Vance said an initial Iranian proposal had been rejected but that a revised version, developed through discussions involving Pakistan and Tehran, was more acceptable. The exact status of the revised proposal remains unclear.
US Demands Over Iran’s Uranium Stockpile
The Trump administration has maintained that Iran must address concerns surrounding its near-weapons-grade uranium reserves. Leavitt said Tehran had indicated that it could hand over its highly enriched uranium stockpile, although Iran has not publicly confirmed the claim. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has also warned that the US could take military action to secure the stockpile if necessary.
The issue is likely to become one of the most difficult points in the upcoming negotiations.
Strait Of Hormuz Remains Another Major Hurdle
The Strait of Hormuz is another key issue hanging over the talks. The Trump administration has demanded that Iran fully reopen the strategic waterway, which is crucial for global energy shipments. Iranian state media, however, reported that the waterway had again been closed following Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
The White House disputed that account, saying it had observed increased shipping activity through the strait. The disagreement could complicate efforts to maintain the ceasefire, particularly as Trump had previously threatened military action if Tehran refused to restore unrestricted passage.
What Happens Next?
If the ceasefire survives the latest tensions, the Islamabad meeting could become the most significant direct US-Iran diplomatic engagement in decades. Washington is seeking an agreement that addresses Iran’s nuclear capabilities and regional security concerns, while Tehran is pushing for an arrangement that protects its interests and ends the conflict.
Whether the two sides can overcome their differences on uranium enrichment, the nuclear stockpile and the Strait of Hormuz will determine whether the Pakistan talks lead to a lasting settlement or another breakdown in diplomacy.
