Islamabad on Lockdown Ahead of Iran-US Negotiations
The streets of Islamabad were under strict lockdown as Pakistan’s capital prepared to host historic negotiations between Iran and the United States. These talks hold the promise of ending a devastating war in the Middle East.
Despite ongoing conflict, including Israel’s continued bombardment of Lebanon and disputes over the terms of the negotiations, Pakistani officials confirmed that the critical peace talks would proceed as scheduled over the weekend.
Background of the Conflict
The conflict began in late February when Israel and the US launched attacks on Iran, resulting in thousands of deaths and significant global economic disruption. Iran’s retaliatory blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route, has caused a worldwide shortage of oil and gas, triggering the most severe energy crisis in history.
Pakistan played a key role in mediating a ceasefire agreement on Tuesday night, following threats from US President Donald Trump that a “whole civilisation will die” if Iran did not comply with his demands.
As part of the ceasefire, both sides agreed to meet in Islamabad to negotiate a lasting peace.
Outstanding Issues and Ceasefire Details
Despite the ceasefire agreement, significant questions remain. Iran and Pakistan have stated that the ceasefire includes Lebanon, but the US and Israel maintain that Lebanon is a separate issue. Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, emphasized that any peace negotiations would be “meaningless” if bombing continued in Lebanon.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh revealed that Pakistan has been actively working behind the scenes to maintain peace and uphold the fragile ceasefire. He claimed Pakistan intervened to prevent Iran from retaliating against strikes on Lebanon.
Security Measures and Preparations in Islamabad
In anticipation of the first round of talks scheduled for Saturday, Pakistani authorities deployed army personnel and paramilitary rangers, significantly increasing security throughout the capital. A public holiday was declared for Thursday and Friday, resulting in unusually empty streets.
Officials remained discreet about specific arrangements, citing security and diplomatic sensitivities, but confirmed that preparations were progressing rapidly.
“Our priority is that the talks go smoothly,” said one official involved in the arrangements.“We don’t want to be seen as a spoiler. Our role is as a facilitator and mediator. We will leave it to both parties, Iran and the US, to share any developments with the media if they want.”
The official confirmed that key delegations were expected to arrive on Thursday night and Friday morning.
Delegations and Participants
The US delegation will be led by Vice-President JD Vance, accompanied by special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, according to the White House.
The Iranian delegation includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, both involved in the ceasefire negotiations. Senior members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard are also anticipated to attend.
Delegations from Gulf countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which have experienced heavy bombardment from Iran since the conflict began, are also expected to travel to Islamabad and may participate in sideline discussions.
Venue and Security Arrangements
Given the high security risks, Pakistani officials confirmed that three to four potential venues were being considered for the critical Iran-US meeting.
The most prominent attendees are expected to stay at Islamabad’s exclusive five-star Serena Hotel, which may also serve as the venue for the talks. The hotel was cleared of guests, and a 3-kilometer radius of surrounding roads was closed to traffic and placed under army control.
Other possible venues include the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Islamabad’s Convention Centre, or a secure military facility.
Officials indicated there is no fixed timeline for the duration of the talks. However, guests evicted from the Serena Hotel on Wednesday were informed the hotel would remain occupied until Sunday night.
Government and Military Coordination
On Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Pakistan’s Army Chief, Asim Munir, who has been credited with helping broker the ceasefire. The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the de-escalation achieved to date.
