U.S. and Iran Hold High-Level Talks in Islamabad

Senior officials from the United States and Iran held a two-hour meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan, ahead of the conclusion of a second round of talks between the two nations. The meeting was reported by a source from Pakistan, which is acting as a mediator in the negotiations.

Key Meeting Details

Attendees: The U.S. delegation included Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner. The Iranian delegation included Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Timing: The meeting took place before the conclusion of a second round of talks. The Iranian delegation had arrived in Islamabad on Friday.

Official Statements: At the time of the reports, the Trump administration had not commented on any remaining differences between the negotiating parties.

Context and Background

The meeting occurred against a backdrop of recent events referenced by the Iranian delegation.

• Delegation Attire: The Iranian government stated its delegation wore black clothing in mourning for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and others killed in a war.
• Symbolic Items: The Iranian government also stated the delegation carried shoes and bags it said belonged to students killed during a U.S. airstrike on a school located next to a military compound.
• Airstrike Investigation: The Pentagon has stated the airstrike is under investigation. Reuters has reported that, according to military investigators, the United States was likely responsible for the strike.

Atmosphere of Negotiations

A separate Pakistani source, describing the atmosphere of a first round of talks, stated, "There were mood swings from the two sides and the temperature went up and down during the meeting."