The Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, is welcomed by Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar [Reuters]By AFPPublished On 11 Apr 202611 Apr 2026Senior Iranian officials have arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, for ceasefire talks with the United States as violence continues across the region.
Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are leading the Iranian side in the negotiations, while Washington is being represented by US Vice President JD Vance, along with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Ahead of the talks, Vance said Washington is ready to “extend an open hand” if Iran negotiates in good faith, signalling a potential opening for diplomacy after weeks of escalating tensions.
At the same time, the situation on the ground remains volatile.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said on Friday that at least 357 people were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, warning that the death toll is expected to rise as more victims are identified.
War diplomacy
- Iran arrives for talks: Iran’s delegation of top officials, led by Ghalibaf, arrived in Islamabad for ceasefire talks with the US, Iranian state television reported on Friday.
- Lebanon-Israel talks: Lebanon’s presidency said in a statement on Friday that a meeting will be held at the US Department of State on Tuesday “to discuss declaring a ceasefire and the start date for negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under US auspices”.
- Iran demands Lebanon ceasefire: Iran’s parliamentary speaker demanded a truce in Lebanon and the release of his country’s blocked assets on Friday as Vance warned Tehran not to “play” Washington in their talks.
- Trump warning: US President Donald Trump said Iran has “no cards” in upcoming talks with the US. In a separate interview with the New York Post, the US president said US warships are being reloaded with weaponry to strike Iran if the talks fail to produce a deal.
In the US
- Trump says Hormuz will reopen ‘fairly soon’: The US president said the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened with or without Iran’s help, pledging Washington will “open up the Gulf” amid ongoing disruption to global energy supplies.
- US seeking quick ‘victory’: Former US ambassador Douglas Silliman told Al Jazeera that Trump is likely to push for a fast outcome in the talks to ease economic pressure, with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz seen as a critical priority.
- Inflation adds urgency: US consumer prices surged to a two-year high, increasing pressure on the administration as economic concerns grow at home.
- Vance leads US delegation: Vice President JD Vance is heading the negotiating team in Islamabad, alongside senior officials, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and advisers such as Jared Kushner.
In Israel
- Pressure on Israel to pause strikes: The US has reportedly asked Israel to halt attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon to avoid derailing negotiations, with the current US-Iran ceasefire set to expire on April 21.
- Ongoing fighting in Lebanon despite talks: Israel’s military operations and expanding ground offensive in Lebanon continued, even as ceasefire negotiations were scheduled.
- Hezbollah fires on Israel: The Israeli military said Hezbollah fired about 30 projectiles into Israel, reporting that some strikes caused damage. Air raid sirens were heard across northern Israel.
