Iran talks Pakistan: US‑Iran negotiations start in Islamabad as Trump vows to clear Hormuz

Negotiations between the United States and Iran kicked off Saturday in Islamabad, marking the first formal Iran talks Pakistan after a tenuous two‑week ceasefire was declared.

Preconditions and red lines

Iranian officials said the three‑party talks proceeded only after Washington agreed to curb Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon and to consider compensation for U.S.-Israeli attacks that sparked the war on Feb. 28. The Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, presented a list of “red lines” that include release of frozen Iranian assets and a guarantee that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open.

“Talks have started and are progressing well,” a Pakistani source told reporters, requesting anonymity.

The U.S. team, headed by Vice President JD Vance, warned Tehran that any attempt to “play us” would meet a firm response. President Donald Trump posted that the United States had begun “clearing out” the strait, a statement whose exact meaning remains unclear.

Strategic stakes in the Strait of Hormuz

Since the conflict began, commercial traffic through the strait has plunged from roughly 100 vessels a day to a handful, pushing Brent crude to above ↑ $94 a barrel – a ↑ 30% surge since February. Reuters notes that the bottleneck threatens global energy supplies and inflates fertilizer costs across the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking for the delegation, expressed “deep distrust” after previous rounds were punctuated by strikes on Iranian soil. He warned Tehran would retaliate if attacks resume.

Meanwhile, Israel continues air raids in Lebanon, refusing to link its cease‑fire with Tehran’s demands. Lebanese state media reported at least three casualties in the latest strike.

Dispatch from: Zara Blackwood

Rapid Response Intelligence Analyst