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Peace talks between Iran and the US began in Islamabad this afternoon, with senior negotiators from both countries meeting face to face at the highest level for the first time since 1979, in the presence of mediators from Pakistan<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pakistani state TV said US and Iranian officials were \u201csitting directly at the same table\u201d \u2013 which was later confirmed by the White House \u2013 and discussions were beginning in a positive atmosphere, despite fighting continuing in Lebanon<\/a>.<\/p>\n JD Vance, the US vice-president, is leading the American delegation, while Iran\u2019s negotiators in Islamabad are headed by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the parliamentary speaker, and Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister.<\/p>\n Pakistani sources also said that Pakistan\u2019s army chief, Asim Munir, was present in the room. The field marshal, who was key in brokering the ceasefire earlier this week, is reported to have a good relationship with the US president, Donald Trump.<\/p>\n The first round of discussions went on for about two hours, a political source said, and was followed by a second round of more technical discussions. These technical talks were divided into key topics, with a focus on security, finance and the strait of Hormuz, the source added.<\/p>\n It was then planned that there would be a break for dinner, to be hosted by Pakistan\u2019s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, at his residence.<\/p>\n Earlier, the Iranian negotiators demanded a ceasefire in Lebanon, reparations and commitment to unblock frozen assets as part of a peace deal in a preliminary meeting with Pakistani mediators, led by Sharif.<\/p>\n However, the US warned it would not allow itself to be manipulated by a weakened Tehran. On his arrival, Vance said<\/a>: \u201cIf they\u2019re going to try to play us, then they\u2019re going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive.\u201d<\/p>\n