Islamabad Sealed Ahead Of US-Iran Peace Talks, But Iran’s Presence Still In Doubt

Pakistan is preparing to host a crucial round of diplomatic engagement between the United States and Iran this weekend, with Islamabad placed under extraordinary security arrangements ahead of what could become a pivotal moment in the fragile West Asia ceasefire process. Yet, even before the proposed talks begin, one major question remains unresolved: whether Iran's delegation will actually arrive and take part.

The talks come just after a shaky ceasefire was announced following escalating hostilities in the region, with Washington confirming its team and Pakistan stepping in as a key intermediary. But mixed signals from Tehran and renewed Israeli strikes in Lebanon have cast fresh doubt over whether the Islamabad meeting can move forward as planned.

US Team Confirmed, Iran's Presence Still Unclear

The United States has made its participation official. The White House confirmed that Vice President JD Vance will lead the American delegation in Islamabad. He is expected to be joined by Donald Trump's top envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner, signalling that Washington is treating the talks as a high-priority diplomatic effort.

Iran's side, however, remains far less certain.

Earlier reports suggested that Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi could lead Tehran's delegation. Ghalibaf's possible inclusion drew particular attention because of his past as a commander in Iran's Revolutionary Guard.

But confusion deepened after Iran's Mehr news agency rejected reports that an Iranian negotiating team had already reached Islamabad. The agency said reports claiming an Iranian delegation had arrived in Pakistan for talks with US officials were "completely false".

Mehr also underlined Tehran's current position, saying, "Negotiations remain suspended until the United States upholds its commitments regarding the ceasefire in Lebanon and the Israeli regime stops its attacks."

That statement placed the entire diplomatic exercise in doubt, even as Pakistan and the US continued preparations.

Islamabad Under Heavy Security Ahead of Delegations' Arrival

Despite the uncertainty around Iran's participation, Pakistani authorities have moved ahead with a massive security operation in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, anticipating the arrival of foreign delegations.

Key roads across the capital were sealed on Thursday, traffic was diverted, and highly sensitive areas were locked down as the city entered what local officials described as a heightened security phase. The Red Zone, which houses major government buildings, diplomatic missions and official residences, has been fully sealed except for authorised vehicles.

Pakistan's interior minister Mohsin Naqvi, during a meeting with US Chargé d'affaires Natalie Baker, assured that stringent arrangements had been put in place for visiting officials.

Calling members of the US delegation "our special guests," Naqvi said, "A comprehensive plan has been prepared to provide foolproof security to all foreign guests in every respect," according to Pakistan-based daily Dawn.

Reports also indicated that a 30-member advance US security team had already reached Islamabad to inspect and coordinate on-ground arrangements before the main delegation's arrival.

Authorities declared a two-day local holiday in the capital to ease logistical movement. Islamabad Police also issued a public advisory on X, stating, "The Red Zone and surrounding areas are closed to all types of traffic except official vehicles. Citizens are requested to avoid unnecessary travel."

Roads leading to Nur Khan Airbase and Old Airport Road were blocked with containers and barbed wire, while several residential areas, including Shah Khalid Colony, Gulzar-e-Quaid and Airport Housing Society, reportedly faced major restrictions. Hospitals, rescue services and district-level security agencies have also been kept on standby.

Pakistan Emerges as a Critical Backchannel Between Tehran and Washington

Pakistan's growing role in the current diplomatic push has become one of the most important elements of the unfolding crisis.

In recent weeks, Islamabad has positioned itself as a crucial communication bridge between Tehran and Washington, leveraging its working ties with the US while remaining deeply sensitive to developments in neighbouring Iran and the wider region.

The urgency of that mediation has been shaped by the wider conflict that spiralled after Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran on February 28, killing its supreme leader. Iran retaliated with attacks targeting Gulf nations and Israel, and the conflict widened further when Iran-backed Hezbollah entered the confrontation, triggering Israeli strikes in Lebanon, including in Beirut, as well as a ground offensive in the south.

That rapid escalation pushed regional players to seek urgent de-escalation, with Pakistan becoming one of the central channels in attempts to prevent the conflict from spreading even further.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir have both reviewed Pakistan's mediation efforts in recent hours. According to reports, the two leaders expressed satisfaction over the current de-escalation and stressed the importance of preserving the ceasefire while continuing efforts towards what they described as "sustainable peace".

They "appreciated the restraint demonstrated by all sides" and pledged "all-out support" for a peaceful resolution. Sharif also renewed Pakistan's invitation to both delegations and assured full support during the talks.

Fresh Lebanon Strikes Threaten to Derail Fragile Diplomatic Opening

Even as Pakistan prepared for the talks, developments in Lebanon threatened to unravel the diplomatic momentum.

Iran's Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, briefly appeared to confirm Tehran's participation, writing on X: "Despite skepticism... Iranian delegation arrives tonight in Islamabad for serious talks based on 10 points proposed by Iran."

But he later deleted the post after the situation in Lebanon worsened.

The reversal came after fresh Israeli aerial strikes in Lebanon, which Iranian officials described as a violation of the ceasefire. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a sharp warning that such actions could destroy any remaining basis for negotiations.

"Such actions signal deception and non-compliance, rendering negotiations meaningless. Our hands remain on the trigger. Iran will never forsake its Lebanese brothers and sisters," he said.

His remarks followed reports that Israeli strikes had killed more than 200 people and injured over 1,000 in Lebanon, sharply increasing tensions just hours before the planned Islamabad meeting.

This has reinforced Tehran's insistence that diplomacy cannot proceed unless Washington ensures compliance with ceasefire commitments and Israeli military action in Lebanon stops.

Talks Aim Beyond Ceasefire as Broader Deal Looms

If the talks do go ahead, they are expected to cover much more than just maintaining the current ceasefire.

According to reports, the Islamabad engagement is intended to open discussions on a broader and more durable framework for regional stability. Key subjects likely to feature include sanctions relief, wider regional security concerns, and the future of Iran's nuclear and missile programmes.

That means the proposed meeting could become the first step in a much larger negotiation, provided both sides actually sit down.

For now, the US delegation appears set, Pakistan is fully mobilised, and the diplomatic infrastructure is in place. But with Iran sending mixed signals and the Lebanon front once again heating up, the proposed Islamabad talks remain precariously balanced between breakthrough and breakdown.