The Digester
war

Vance travels to Pakistan for US Iran talks as ceasefire strains

Pakistan has sealed parts of Islamabad and deployed thousands of security personnel as Vice President JD Vance leads a high level US delegation to indirect talks with Iranian officials amid disputes over the scope of the ceasefire and recent alleged strikes.

Apr 10th 2026 · Pakistan

Insights

  • Islamabad is on high security lockdown as Pakistan hosts US and Iranian delegations for talks.
  • The US team is led by Vice President JD Vance with envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, while Iran is expected to send Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
  • Talks are expected to be indirect, with Pakistani officials shuttling proposals between separate rooms.
  • A key dispute is whether the ceasefire must include a halt to Israeli operations in Lebanon, a position Iran insists on and the US and Israel reject.
  • Kuwait accused Iran of drone strikes during the ceasefire, which Iran denies, adding to tensions around the negotiations.
  • Pakistan aims to mediate because of longstanding ties with both countries and economic and security interests affected by the war.

Sources