The Hindu is reporting that the United States and Iran have commenced face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan. The talks began days after a fragile, two-week ceasefire was announced in a conflict that has resulted in thousands of deaths and impacted global markets. The White House confirmed the direct nature of these discussions, marking a rare instance of high-level U.S. government engagement with Iran. The U.S. delegation, led by Vice President J.D. Vance, and the Iranian delegation, headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, held separate meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before the three-party talks. Iran's state-run news agency indicated that the negotiations proceeded after certain Iranian preconditions, including a reduction in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, were met. Iran reiterated aspects of its earlier proposal, with its delegation informing Iranian state television that some plan elements were presented as "red lines" during meetings with Sharif. These included demands for compensation for damage from U.S.-Israeli strikes and the release of Iran's frozen assets. The Strait of Hormuz remains a significant point of disagreement, according to Iran's Tasnim news agency, which reported that consultations were ongoing despite what it described as excessive U.S. demands, while Iran insisted on maintaining its military gains. U.S. President Donald Trump had previously accused Iran of using the Strait of Hormuz for extortion. While Iranian state media reported two rounds of discussions had concluded with a third expected, the White House stated that talks were continuing late Saturday.
