US Vice President JD Vance will travel to Islamabad to lead Washington’s negotiating team in fresh talks with Iran, even as uncertainty persists over Tehran’s participation.
Vance is expected to be joined by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. However, it remains unclear whether Iran will attend the talks or who will represent it if it does.
The development comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts following a sharp escalation in tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil trade.
Donald Trump said US representatives would return to Pakistan for negotiations, signalling Washington’s intent to push ahead with diplomacy despite the deteriorating security situation.
Iran has yet to formally confirm its participation, although earlier indications suggested it could send a delegation. Iranian officials have maintained that “gaps remain significant”, even as they acknowledge limited progress in prior rounds.
Pakistan’s capital is bracing for the high-stakes engagement:
Key roads have been sealed off
Security deployments have intensified
Hotels used in earlier talks have been vacated
Foreign personnel and equipment have been moved into secure zones
The city is effectively under a partial lockdown as preparations continue.
There has been visible inconsistency within the White House over Vance’s travel:
Mike Waltz initially said Vance would lead the delegation
Trump later suggested the vice president might not travel due to security concerns
The White House then confirmed that Vance will indeed head the mission, saying “things changed”
Trump has escalated rhetoric ahead of the talks, warning that the US could strike Iranian power plants and bridges if negotiations fail.
He also accused Iran of violating a ceasefire by firing on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has countered by alleging that Washington breached the truce first through a naval blockade.
A key dispute centres on control of the waterway:
Trump has claimed the US had already shut the strait
Iran insists its actions were a response to US moves
There is no independent confirmation that the passage was fully closed by the US before the latest escalation
The fallout has been immediate for global shipping:
Vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz has stalled
Marine traffic data indicates no ships were crossing as of Sunday
Iran is reported to have resumed its blockade
Given that a significant share of the world’s oil passes through the strait, the disruption has heightened concerns in energy markets.
Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said some progress has been made in talks with the US, but stressed that both sides remain “far” from a final agreement.
The latest round follows a dramatic incident in which Iranian gunboats fired on a tanker, underscoring how fragile the situation remains.
Despite the volatility, both sides have strong incentives to keep negotiations alive:
The US is seeking a geopolitical breakthrough
Iran faces mounting economic pressure
Global markets are highly sensitive to any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz
The decision to resume talks suggests that neither Washington nor Tehran is ready to walk away. However, with trust low and positions still far apart, the path to a deal remains uncertain.