which was seen as a resounding diplomatic victory for Pakistan.<\/a><\/p>\nHowever, critical questions remain over the ceasefire and the basis of the talks. While Iran and Pakistan stated that the ceasefire included Lebanon, the US and Israel have since insisted that is a separate issue. Iran\u2019s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has said that any peace negotiations would be \u201cmeaningless\u201d if they took place as bombs continued to fall on Lebanon.<\/p>\n
According to Iran\u2019s deputy foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh, Pakistan\u2019s interventions to maintain the peace and protect the fragile ceasefire had continued behind the scenes. Khatibzadeh claimed that Pakistan had intervened to stop Iran retaliating against the strikes on Lebanon.<\/p>\n
Ahead of the first round of discussions in Islamabad, which are due to take place on Saturday, army personnel and paramilitary rangers were deployed and security was beefed up across the capital. A public holiday was declared on Thursday and Friday and the streets were eerily empty.<\/p>\n
Pakistani officials remained tight-lipped about the arrangements for the negotiations, citing security and diplomatic concerns, but said the preparations were full steam ahead.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur priority is that the talks go smoothly,\u201d said one official involved in the arrangements. \u201cWe don\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The official confirmed that the key delegations were due to arrive on Thursday night and Friday morning. On the US side, the White House confirmed their negotiating team would be led by vice-president JD Vance, with special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner also travelling to Islamabad.<\/p>\n
Iranian officials said their delegation would include foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who were both part of the ceasefire negotiations. Senior figures from Iran\u2019s revolutionary guard are also expected to attend.<\/p>\n
Officials said that delegations from Gulf countries, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which have faced heavy bombardment from Iran since the war began, would also be travelling to Islamabad and may take part in sideline talks.<\/p>\n
Due to the high security risks involved, Pakistani officials confirmed that there were three to four possible venues being lined up for the critical meeting between Iran and the US.<\/p>\n
The most high-profile attenders are expected to stay in Islamabad\u2019s exclusive five-star Serena hotel, which may also play host to the talks. The hotel was cleared of its guests and the surrounding 3km of roads were shut off to cars and put under army control. Other possible venues cited by officials were the prime minister\u2019s secretariat, Islamabad\u2019s convention centre or a secure military location.<\/p>\n
Officials said there was no set timeline for how long the talks would take. However, guests who were evicted from the Serena hotel on Wednesday were informed the hotel would be occupied until Sunday night.<\/p>\n
In a meeting on Thursday between prime minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan\u2019s army chief, Asim Munir, who was credited with helping to broker the ceasefire, the pair \u201cexpressed satisfaction over the de-escalation achieved so far\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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