Direct Talks Between Iran and U.S. in Islamabad
Iranian delegation to the negotiations arrives in Pakistan, April 11, 2026.
Direct face-to-face talks began on April 11 in Islamabad, Pakistan, between Iran and the U.S. for a permanent ceasefire to end the illegal war against Iran launched on February 28 by the U.S./Israeli aggressors. The Iranian delegation was headed by Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Secretary of the Supreme National Defence Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian, as well as representatives from the security, military, economic, and legal sectors. The U.S. side was led by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner. President Trump had agreed to the talks based on Iran's 10-Point proposal that included a ceasefire
Upon arrival, Qalibaf confirmed that two key conditions must be met before talks could proceed: "A ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran's frozen assets." He noted the treachery of the U.S./Israeli aggressors in carrying out attacks on Iran during prior negotiations: when it started the current war on February 28, derailing productive negotiations on Iran's civilian nuclear program; and when Israel attacked Iran during similar negotiations in June 2025. This has forced Iran to be extremely wary. "We have goodwill, but we do not have trust [in the opposite party]," Iran's Parliamentary Speaker said.
He warned that there would only be an agreement with the U.S. if the latter was "ready for a genuine agreement and to grant the rights of the Iranian nation." If the U.S. is seeking to use the negotiation to go through the motions and try to deceive Iran, the country will continue to secure its rights by relying on its own capabilities which have been amply demonstrated.
The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) informed that the U.S. side had generally accepted the two conditions for the negotiations. While Israel continues to bomb southern Lebanon, its bombing of Beirut has reportedly ceased. The Iranian negotiating team continued to press for a full ceasefire in Lebanon. IRNA also noted that experts and technical personnel were involved in negotiating the release of Iran's financial assets.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi, a member of Iran's negotiating team in Islamabad, highlighted that this round of talks with the U.S. was different from previous rounds due to Iran's enhanced strategic positioning and the lessons learned from past negotiations. He expressed optimism that the experience and resolve exhibited by the Iranian delegation could lead to a breakthrough in the talks. He underscored that Iran's military successes against the U.S./Israeli aggression, its strategic control of the Strait of Hormuz and the national unity of the Iranian people have given Iran the upper hand in the negotiations.
On April 12, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei reported that after more than 20 hours, the two sides had reached a consensus on some issues, but could not come to agreement on two or three key matters. The talks have now ended.
Head of the Iranian delegation Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf noted on April 12: "My
colleagues raised forward-looking initiatives, but the opposite side ultimately failed to win the
trust of the Iranian delegation in this round of negotiations." He added that Iran pursues its
diplomacy with the backing of its military and in the framework of affirming the rights of the
Iranian people. He emphasized that Iran will spare no effort to consolidate the achievements
of its 40-day national defence against the aggressors.
Further reporting from Press TV informs that the U.S. sought not only "unrestricted passage for its intruding vessels and those of its allies through the Strait of Hormuz, but also the complete dismantling of Iran's uranium enrichment program and the surrender of its existing uranium stockpile." These terms amounted to a demand for unconditional surrender which Vance presented as the U.S.'s "final and best offer." Iran declined.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X that Iran is "disappointed with how U.S.
behaved." He recounted how a call from Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin to U.S. Vice
President Vance during the meeting "shifted the focus from U.S.-Iran negotiations to Israel's
interests." He added that "The U.S. tried to achieve at the negotiating table what it could not
achieve through war."
(With files from Fars, IRNA, Press TV. Photos: Al Mayadeen, Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.)
This article was published in
Volume 56 Number 17 - April 12, 2026
Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/TML2026/Articles/T560171.HTM
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