TEHRAN: The United States and Iran are preparing for a new round of talks in Pakistan despite recent tensions and conflicting public statements, with delegations from both countries expected to arrive in Islamabad later this week, according to a report by The New York Times.
The report states that US Vice President JD Vance is expected to depart Washington for Islamabad on Tuesday, while Iranian officials have also indicated that their delegation may participate in the negotiations. Iranian sources suggest that influential figure Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf could also attend the talks, although his participation may depend on the presence of the US delegation.
According to the report, both sides have issued mixed and sometimes contradictory statements in recent days. US President Donald Trump referred to the possibility of “regime change” in Iran on social media, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that war is not in anyone’s interest, although he also reiterated deep historical mistrust toward the United States.
The report notes that Iran had previously expressed doubts about participating in talks, only to later join negotiations unexpectedly. Analysts say the current situation reflects a similar pattern of uncertainty and strategic ambiguity.
Meanwhile, a two-week ceasefire is nearing its end, and tensions remain high in the Strait of Hormuz. The US president stated that American naval forces had intercepted and seized an Iranian vessel, an action Tehran described as “maritime piracy,” warning of a response.
Security arrangements in Pakistan are being intensified for the potential talks, with officials planning to deploy an additional 10,000 personnel in Islamabad. Analysts believe that despite harsh rhetoric and mixed signals, if the talks proceed, they could represent a significant effort to reduce regional tensions.
