The United States and Iranian officials held direct negotiations that took place at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad, after both delegations met separately with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. It is considered to be the most significant direct meeting since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Negotiations are underway to end a war that has brought geopolitical unrest to the Middle East region and shaken the global economy i.e, disruption of global energy supply routes in the history of global energy markets.
The White House confirms the US, Iran, and Pakistan – trilateral talks – are underway. Iranian state media says Washington is making ‘extravagant’ demands. The trilateral talks, hosted by Pakistan in Islamabad, marked a shift from recent practice where they negotiated through a mediator in separate rooms.
The US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, marked the highest level of American contact since Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution, while the Iranian team—comprising over 70 members—was headed by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Iranian negotiating team is structured across three committees – political, economic and legal – with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi heading the political track, Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati on economics, and Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi on legal matters for Iran.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social account, claiming Iran’s minelaying vessels had been destroyed. “We’re now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz as a favor to Countries all over the World, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, and many others”, he added.
The Financial Times reports Iran has rejected a U.S. proposal for joint administration of the strait. “Iran insists on maintaining control over the Strait of Hormuz and imposing transit fees on ships,” FT writes, citing two informed. sources.
A source close to Iran’s team told Fars the U.S. is making “excessive demands,” especially on Hormuz and other issues. The source said the US is trying to gain in talks what it failed to achieve through weeks of war and pressure. Iran says it will firmly protect its gains.