US, Iran hold rare direct talks in Pakistan as negotiations enter key phase

ISLAMABAD: The United States has confirmed that face-to-face talks with Iran are under way in Islamabad as part of a Pakistan-mediated diplomatic process, marking a significant step in efforts to end weeks of conflict.

A senior White House official told the BBC on Saturday that trilateral talks involving US and Iranian delegations, with Pakistan acting as mediator, had entered a direct negotiation phase.

The US delegation is led by Vice President JD Vance and includes special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner. The broader team also comprises National Security Adviser Andrew Baker and Asia affairs adviser Michael Vance, along with subject-matter experts based in Islamabad and Washington.

The confirmation follows earlier indications from Pakistani government sources that negotiations had progressed beyond indirect engagement.

Diplomatic sources described the talks as having moved through multiple stages.

In the initial phase, both US and Iranian delegations held separate meetings with Pakistan’s leadership.

This was followed by indirect exchanges through Pakistani intermediaries, before advancing to direct, face-to-face discussions now under way.

The development marks the highest-level direct contact between Washington and Tehran since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, underscoring the significance of the Islamabad process.

Officials and analysts said the shift to direct talks suggests both sides see potential areas for progress in their respective proposals, even as key differences remain.

The outcome of the negotiations remains uncertain, with expectations varying widely. The conflict has driven global oil prices higher, disrupted energy infrastructure across the Middle East and resulted in significant casualties.

For many, a sustained ceasefire and eventual peace agreement would represent a major breakthrough. However, concerns persist within Iran, where some citizens fear a more hardline direction under the country’s new leadership following recent internal unrest.

The talks are continuing in Islamabad amid tight security, with Pakistan seeking to facilitate dialogue between the two long-time adversaries in a bid to stabilise the region.