Inside flight to Islamabad: Qalibaf’s emotional tribute to Minab as Iran delegation arrives for US talks

Striking footage from inside a plane carrying Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf to Islamabad has offered a rare and emotional glimpse ahead of high-stakes US-Iran talks. The images, released on Saturday, show Qalibaf standing inside the aircraft, looking over rows of empty seats arranged with photographs and school backpacks belonging to victims of the Minab school strike.

The symbolic display reflected the human cost of recent violence as diplomatic efforts intensify in Islamabad. The Iranian delegation is set to meet their US counterparts later in the day following a two-week ceasefire announced earlier this week.

The US delegation is being led by Vice President JD Vance and includes special envoy Steve Witkoff as well as businessman Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump. The Iranian side includes Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The talks are being hosted in Pakistan, which is playing a facilitative role in bringing both sides to the negotiating table amid ongoing regional tensions. Officials from all parties have expressed cautious optimism, though significant challenges remain as the discussions aim to translate the ceasefire into a more durable diplomatic framework.

The Islamabad meeting is being closely watched as a potential turning point in efforts to reduce hostilities and rebuild dialogue between Washington and Tehran.