The United States and Iran initiated formal negotiations on Saturday in Islamabad, Pakistan, following a fragile two-week ceasefire. The discussions, led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, aim to solidify the ceasefire, which has been undermined by ongoing Israeli strikes against Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Iran has reiterated its demands, including compensation for damages caused by US-Israeli attacks and the release of its frozen assets. These 'red lines' were presented during separate meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The war has resulted in thousands of casualties across multiple nations and severely disrupted global energy markets due to Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz.
"Peace alone is not enough for our country, because we’ve been hit very hard, there have been huge costs," said Tehran resident Amir Razzai Far.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump asserted on social media that the US has begun 'clearing out' the Strait of Hormuz, although the specifics of these actions remain unclear. This statement underscores the strategic importance of the strait, a vital conduit for global oil and gas shipments.
As talks progress, both sides remain cautious. Vance expressed optimism but warned that the US negotiating team would not tolerate deceit. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated Tehran’s readiness to retaliate if attacked again, highlighting the deep distrust that permeates these negotiations.