US-Iran talks set to bring together Vance and Iranian officials in Pakistan as ceasefire strains

A police officer walks past a billboard regarding the United States and Iran negotiations, outside a media facilitation center in Islamabad, Pakistan, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed) 2026-04-11T04:26:54Z Islamabad (AP) — A U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance is headed to Pakistan for high-level talks with Iranian representatives for the first such meeting since the war began more than a month ago that will test whether they can shore up a fragile ceasefire and pave the way for peace. The ceasefire brokered by Pakistan still faces hurdles in the talks beginning Saturday, as Israel and Hezbollah militants have traded fire along the border of southern Lebanon and Iran has set conditions before negotiations can begin. The Iranian delegation arrived early Saturday in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf , who said on X that discussions will only take place if there is an Israeli ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of blocked Iranian assets. Hours earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump wished Vance good luck. “We’ll find out what’s going on. They’re militarily defeated,” Trump said. The normally bustling streets of Islamabad were deserted Saturday morning as security forces sealed roads ahead of the talks. Pakistani authorities urged residents to stay inside, leading the city to look like it was under curfew. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Friday that the conflict was entering a “difficult phase” as the sides try to shift from a temporary pause in fighting to a more lasting settlement, adding that they were at a “make-or-break” moment. (