US–Iran ‘face-to-face talks’ enter expert level as hopes rise for breakthrough

• Three-way engagement continues under Pakistan’s mediation  late night in rare Islamabad diplomatic breakthrough

• Two rounds completed after more than five hours of talks, with experts exchange written proposals

• Tehran confirms talks reached ‘expert-level stage,’ with economic, military, legal, and nuclear committees participating

• White House confirms trilateral US–Pakistan–Iran format talks, characterizing it as ‘three-way and face-to-face’

• Strait of Hormuz emerges as key sticking point in negotiations as technical committees review economic, nuclear, legal and military issues

• Islamabad Talks being described as most significant diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution

 ISLAMABAD/TEHRAN/WASHINGTON: What is being described as “three-way and face-to-face” direct negotiations between the United States and Iran continued late into Saturday after more than five hours of talks, with expert teams from both sides exchanging written texts. A third round is expected as the two sides attempt to find common ground under Pakistan’s mediation for a permanent end to war in the Middle East, Iranian state television and PTV News reported.

The high-level discussions, held at Islamabad’s Serena Hotel, mark a rare face-to-face engagement between Washington and Tehran after years of indirect diplomacy conducted through intermediaries.

The White House described the ongoing talks in Pakistan as “three-way and face-to-face.” In a statement attributed to a White House official and sent to reporters, it said: “The US, Pakistan and Iran are holding a trilateral face-to-face meeting today.”

اسلام آباد میں تاریخی امن مذاکرات، ایران اور امریکا ایک میز پر!

اسلام آباد میں ایران اور امریکا کے درمیان تاریخ ساز امن مذاکرات کا آغاز ہو گیا ہے، جہاں دونوں فریقین کشیدگی کے بعد پہلی بار براہِ راست ایک میز پر بیٹھے ہیں۔ اعلیٰ سطح وفود کی آمد، پاکستان کی مؤثر سفارتکاری اور عالمی… pic.twitter.com/soNhYJ3goO

— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) April 11, 2026

Iranian state television reported that two rounds of talks have already taken place, with a third round likely “tonight or tomorrow.” “According to information provided to the state TV correspondent by a person close to the negotiating team, another round of negotiations will likely be held tonight or tomorrow,” state broadcaster IRIB said.

An Iranian state TV correspondent also noted there were “plans for a third round of talks,” adding: “We are waiting to see whether this (the third round) will happen or not,” according to AFP.

Earlier, the Iranian government said in a post on X that the talks had reached the “expert-level stage,” with economic, military, legal, and nuclear committees participating.

Talks between Iran and the U.S. in Islamabad entered the expert-level stage as economic, military, legal, and nuclear committees joined. Negotiations continue at the Serena Hotel to finalize technical details. #IslamabadTalks #Iran #USA #Diplomacy https://t.co/mH00MmP3TX

— Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran (@Iran_GOV) April 11, 2026

“Negotiations continue at the Serena Hotel to finalise technical details,” it added.

According to the latest reports, a third round of talks is currently underway.

The negotiations are taking place during a two-week ceasefire in the US–Israeli war against Iran, which began with coordinated strikes on February 28. The conflict, which spread across the Middle East and disrupted global markets, paused after Pakistan brokered a temporary ceasefire on April 8.

Following the truce, the current talks were scheduled in Islamabad, with delegations from both countries arriving in the capital.

The US delegation is led by Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

The Iranian delegation is led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf and includes Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other senior officials.

Image of Iran's Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and the Iranian negotiating team during the talks with the US in Islamabad.

Follow Press TV on Telegram: https://t.co/LWoNSpkc2J pic.twitter.com/9wDQtMPAxk

— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) April 11, 2026

In a post on X, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran’s delegation remained “fully committed” to safeguarding the country’s interests. He expressed hope that the team would “negotiate courageously,” adding that regardless of the outcome, the government would “stand by its people.”

هیأت ایرانی عالی رتبه‌ای که در پاکستان حاضر شده با تمام وجود حافظ منافع ایران است و در همین راستا شجاعانه مذاکره خواهد کرد. در هر صورت خدمت ما به مردم لحظه‌ای متوقف نمی‌شود و هر نتیجه‌ای از مذاکرات حاصل شود دولت پای کار مردم است.

— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) April 11, 2026

Earlier, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said the first phase of talks had concluded, with both sides exchanging written drafts outlining positions and possible areas of agreement. Technical teams are now working to formalise key points after hours of deliberations.

A senior White House official confirmed that high-level, in-person trilateral talks involving the United States, Iran, and host Pakistan were “ongoing” late Saturday, adding that discussions were continuing.

Reuters reported that an earlier key meeting brought together Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner with Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Reuters

Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, was also present.

Sources described the meeting dynamics as fluctuating, with the tone shifting between tense and relatively flexible. The initial session lasted around two hours before a break.

One of the most contentious issues remains the Strait of Hormuz, described by Tasnim as a point of “serious disagreement” among negotiators. The strategic waterway carries a significant share of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments in peacetime.

   PM Shehbaz meets Iranian delegation

Prior to the talks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate meetings with delegations from the United States and Iran.

PM Shehbaz held a meeting with the Iranian delegation at the Islamabad Talks today, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with the Iranian delegation led by the Honorable Speaker of the Iranian Consultative Assembly, Mr. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf at Islamabad Talks. 11 April, 2026. pic.twitter.com/Lt1hp5OycD

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) April 11, 2026

“Appreciating Iran’s engagement in the Islamabad Talks, the prime minister affirmed Pakistan’s sincere resolve to continue playing its role as a mediator to help build momentum towards achieving meaningful results in the interest of regional and global peace and stability,” PMO stated.

Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi attended the meeting from the Pakistani side.

The PMO shared a video from the exchange, showing PM Shehbaz greeting Ghalibaf and Araghchi by hugging them and shaking hands.

PM Shehbaz meets US VP Vance

PM Shehbaz held a separate meeting with Vance, Witkoff and Kushner, who had arrived in Pakistan earlier in the day.

Islamabad April 11 ,2026

As the Islamabad Talks commenced today, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with His Excellency JD Vance, Vice President of the United States of America.

The U.S. Vice President was assisted by Special Envoy Steve… pic.twitter.com/XcH5x1VlHl

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) April 11, 2026

In a statement issued about the US delegation’s meeting, the PMO said, “Commending the commitment of both delegations to engage constructively, the prime minister expressed the hope that these talks would serve as a stepping stone toward durable peace in the region.”

The statement added that the premier “reiterated that Pakistan looks forward to continue its facilitation of both sides in making progress towards sustainable peace in the region”.

PM Shehbaz was assisted by Dar and Naqvi, according to PMO.

 Delegations arrive

Shortly after 10:30am PKT on Saturday, Vance landed at the Nur Khan Air Base, where he was greeted by Dar, Naqvi and CDF Munir.

In a statement officially confirming the US delegation’s arrival, the Foreign Office (FO) said that Dar welcomed Vance and “commended US commitment to achieving lasting regional and global peace and stability”.

Arrival of the US Delegation for Islamabad Talks pic.twitter.com/Hai19EZm4I

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 11, 2026

The deputy premier “expressed the hope that parties would engage constructively, and reiterated Pakistan’s desire to continue facilitating the parties towards reaching [a] lasting and durable solution to the conflict”.

The Iranian delegation arrived in Islamabad early on Saturday morning after a last-minute hurdle over Israeli strikes in Lebanon eased. Tehran had conditioned its participation on a halt to attacks in Lebanon, a point Pakistan said was included in the US-Iran ceasefire.

🔊PR No.9️⃣9️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣

Arrival of the US Delegation for Islamabad Talks
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/MO9hkpnpf0

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 11, 2026

Officials from the US National Security Council, State Department and Department of Defence are accompanying Vance, while advanced security, technical and communications teams reached Islamabad on Friday.

According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, other Iranian negotiators include Supreme National Defence Council Secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian and central bank governor Abdolnaser Hemmati.

 Points of contention in crucial talks

As of Friday, the ongoing talks had come close to derailment after Iran insisted it would not participate in negotiations unless Israeli strikes in Lebanon were halted.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf made it clear on Friday evening that Tehran’s participation hinged on two key conditions: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iranian assets frozen abroad, estimated at around $7 billion. He stressed that these steps “must be fulfilled before negotiations begin.”

Iran maintains that any ceasefire arrangement must extend across all fronts, including Hezbollah, while the United States and Israel have treated the Lebanon-related hostilities as outside the scope of the truce, despite an initial understanding that Lebanon would be included in the ceasefire framework. This divergence has repeatedly threatened to undermine the diplomatic track.

Ahead of his departure from Washington, US Vice President JD Vance described the expected talks as potentially “positive” and said the United States was prepared to negotiate in good faith, while warning that Washington would not be “receptive” to what it considers stalling tactics.

.@VP departs for Islamabad, Pakistan: "As @POTUS said, if the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we're certainly willing to extend the open hand. If they're going to try to play us, then they're going to find that the negotiating team is not that receptive." pic.twitter.com/9nNDGsMmId

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 10, 2026

US President Donald Trump, however, adopted a tougher tone, saying Iran did not have “many cards” left and warning that military action could resume if the talks failed. He also criticised Tehran over continued restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which remains a key leverage point in the standoff.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan, which has played a central role in facilitating the talks, would “try its level best” to ensure their success. He described the negotiations as an opportunity to resolve “contentious issues through dialogue,” while acknowledging the complexity of the process ahead.

The agenda reflects that complexity. While the talks are based on Iran’s 10-point proposal, which Washington has accepted as a general framework, fundamental differences remain unresolved between the two sides.

The United States is expected to push for strict restrictions on Iran’s nuclear programme, including limits on enrichment and possible removal of nuclear material. Iran, meanwhile, is demanding full sanctions relief, recognition of its nuclear rights, a framework guaranteeing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and access to frozen funds.

Additional flashpoints include regional proxy networks, missile ranges, and the sequencing of concessions—each adding further layers of complexity to the negotiations.

Officials and analysts believe the breadth of issues makes it unlikely that substantive breakthroughs will emerge in the initial two-day engagement. At best, the opening round may establish a pathway for continued talks or yield limited understandings on immediate de-escalation measures.

Expectations therefore remain cautious. The arrival of delegations in Islamabad represents a rare diplomatic opening, but the process is unfolding under significant strain amid ongoing violence in Lebanon, continued disruption in Gulf shipping lanes, and deep mistrust between Washington and Tehran.

  Washington–Tehran talks: most significant diplomatic engagement since 1979

The ongoing “Islamabad Talks” are being described as the most significant diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.

A key breakthrough in relations previously came in 2015, when a nuclear agreement was reached under former US President Barack Obama. However, the deal was later abandoned in 2018 by then-President Donald Trump, leading to renewed tensions.

Following the collapse of the agreement, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei imposed a ban on direct talks with the United States, significantly restricting diplomatic engagement for several years.

Prior to the current dialogue, several rounds of indirect negotiations were held under Oman’s mediation, including meetings in Muscat in April 2025 and Geneva in February 2026. However, the process collapsed on February 28, followed by US–Israeli coordinated strikes on Iran and a subsequent 40-day escalation in the Middle East and Gulf region.

In response, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz and targeted US installations as well as Israeli positions, sharply intensifying regional tensions.

Pakistan later stepped in to facilitate a two-week ceasefire, eventually bringing both sides to Islamabad for direct negotiations aimed at securing a lasting settlement.

Media access to the talks remains restricted due to the sensitivity of the discussions. Journalists and foreign delegates are stationed at the Jinnah Convention Centre, while Pakistan’s Ministry of Information is providing periodic briefings.

The expected third round of talks is now seen as critical in determining whether the process can move towards a durable peace agreement.