Islamabad

Pakistan's role in advancing US-Iran talks watched by Gulf nations amid rising tensions - analysis

Meanwhile, at sea, US Central Command says the US blockade of Iran is working. Iran claims that at least one Iranian supertanker had crossed the blockade line and made it to Iran’s Imam Khomeini port

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, as delegations from the United States and Iran are expected to hold peace talks, in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 11, 2026.
News photographers wait for US President Donald Trump to walk out of the Oval Office to speak with reporters at the White House in Washington, DC, US, April 13, 2026.

US could return to Islamabad for additional negotiations with Iran in next two days, Trump says

Riot policemen line up along a road near the expected venue of the US-Iran talks in the Red Zone area of Islamabad on April 10, 2026.

Iranian delegation claims it was 'under attack' en route to Islamabad, regime is re-arming - report

U.S. Vice President JD Vance walks as Jared Kushner looks on, after arriving for talks with Iranian officials in Islamabad, Pakistan, Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Vance says next step in negotiations up to Iran, US has all the cards with blockade in effect


Dialogue between US, Iran still alive after Islamabad talks ended

A source involved in the talks said the parties came "very close" to an agreement and were "80% there" before running into decisions that could not be settled on the spot. 

US Vice President JD Vance, left, meets with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for talks about Iran, in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 11, 2026.

Trump warns Iran ships nearing Hormuz blockade will be ‘immediately eliminated’

Meanwhile, Netanyahu says Israel fully backs Trump’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, rejects claims of a rift with Washington, and stresses US demands to halt Tehran's nuclear enrichment program.

President Donald Trump mimics firing a gun during a news conference in the White House briefing room about the war in Iran on Monday, April 6, 2026.

No illusions: Iranian people return to frontlines of dealing with regime - editorial

Stopping the bombs is a step, but as long as the regime itself is left in power, there will be no change vis-à-vis Iran, with or without a deal.

US Vice President JD Vance, left, talks to Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Asim Munir, right, and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, center, before boarding Air Force Two after attending talks on Iran on April 12, 2026.

Pakistan gambles on Iran-US talks and comes up short - analysis

This shows the country is seeking to take the reins of regional responsibility after many years in which Pakistan seemed consumed by domestic troubles.

A man rides his motorbike past a billboard installed alongside a road as Pakistan prepares to host the US and Iran for peace talks, in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 10, 2026.

Pakistan Defense Minister deletes anti-Israel post from X after diplomatic backlash

Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif briefly posted a message on X accusing Israel of carrying out “genocide” and using language Israeli officials condemned as inflammatory and offensive.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif speaks during an interview with Reuters in Islamabad, Pakistan, October 20, 2025.

US to demand freeing of American detainees in Iran as part of Islamabad negotiations - report

The Washington Post reported that it's not clear the grade of importance that the delegation, led by US Vice President JD Vance, will place on this demand.

US VICE President JD Vance speaks to the media before boarding Air Force Two to return to Washington, DC, after the White House announced he would be leading the US delegation in upcoming peace talks with Iran, from Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport in Budapest, Hungary, April 8, 202

Trump: Iranians only alive to negotiate, have no cards but 'short-term extortion' with Hormuz

"The Iranians don’t seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short-term extortion of the world by using international waterways," Trump posted on Truth Social.

US President Donald Trump gives a press conference in the White House, April 6, 2026.

Pakistan tightens security in Islamabad ahead of US-Iran negotiations

According to security sources, a US Air Force C-130 aircraft carrying an advance security and tactical team landed at Nur Khan Air Base on Thursday afternoon. 

Army soldiers sit in a truck, as Pakistan prepares to host the US and Iran for peace talks, in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 10, 2026.

Pakistan takes on role of peacemaker, but it comes with risks - analysis

As Pakistan steps forward as a peacemaker, it is joined by Turkey, Qatar, China, and other countries. It remains to be seen if Pakistan can build the trust needed for peace. 

A resident listens on a mobile phone to an address to the nation by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, in Islamabad on March 9, 2026.

Gas pipeline blown up in southern Pakistan by unknown assailants, says official

It suspended gas supply to several parts of the city and at least five more districts, the official said.

(Illustrative) sign indicating the location of the Millenium Pipeline buried under a cut in the forest, March 30, 2026.