US and Iran hold peace talks in Islamabad

Delegations from the United States and Iran have gathered in Islamabad, Pakistan, for direct negotiations aimed at securing a permanent ceasefire in the Middle East. The U.S. delegation is led by JD Vance, with potential participation from Jared Kushner and Steven Witkoff, while the Iranian side is expected to be represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. The talks are hosted by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with mediation support from Turkey, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. To ensure security, 10,000 police and military personnel have been deployed, and a 48-hour local holiday was declared to minimize civilian movement in the city. Negotiations are scheduled to take place at the Serena Hotel, located within a high-security 'red zone,' and may extend through Sunday if necessary. While initial preparatory discussions between experts began on Friday, there is uncertainty regarding the final attendance levels due to recent Israeli military actions in Lebanon. Analysts remain cautious about the prospects for a breakthrough in these discussions.