US Sends High-Level Delegation to Pakistan for Iran Talks

The United States is dispatching a high-level delegation to Islamabad, Pakistan, for direct negotiations with Iran. The talks, led by US Vice President JD Vance, are scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 11.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt confirmed the diplomatic mission. The American negotiating team will also include Special Envoy Whitkoff and Mr. Kushner.

"We look forward to these face-to-face meetings," Levitt stated during the announcement.

She emphasized that President Donald Trump's engagement with Iran is contingent upon one key condition: the guarantee of free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. According to the White House spokesperson, maritime traffic through this critical global oil chokepoint has increased significantly in recent times.

The Iranian delegation is expected to be headed by Parliament Speaker and former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, alongside Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. This follows the recent deaths of several veterans within Iran's political elite during ongoing regional conflicts.

In a separate development, Levitt also addressed questions about a potential US withdrawal from NATO. She noted that President Trump had previously raised the topic and was likely to discuss it further during an upcoming meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

The talks occur against a tense regional backdrop. Tehran has recently stated it is reviewing ceasefire conditions after accusing Israel of repeated violations, including large-scale attacks on Lebanon. Iranian officials have warned that continued strikes could lead them to reconsider their decision to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.