JUST IN: Pakistan PM Sharif Confirms US and Iran to Begin Direct Talks in Islamabad Tomorrow
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Diplomacy & Conflict
In a major diplomatic breakthrough, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has officially announced that high-level delegations from the United States and Iran will arrive in Islamabad today (Friday, April 10) to begin direct negotiations tomorrow, April 11, 2026 . The talks, which will be held at the Serena Hotel in Pakistan’s heavily fortified capital, mark the first time both nations have agreed to face-to-face discussions since the outbreak of hostilities on February 28 .
The announcement follows the two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan on April 7, which was accepted by both parties just hours before President Donald Trump’s ultimatum to unleash “complete decimation” on Iran was set to expire .
‘A Pivotal Moment for Regional Peace’
Addressing his Cabinet on Wednesday, Prime Minister Sharif expressed cautious optimism about the negotiations, which he hopes will transform the temporary ceasefire into a “durable peace” .
“I thank Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump for accepting my request for the ceasefire and agreeing to hold talks. US and Iranian delegations will arrive in Islamabad on Friday for talks. This is a temporary ceasefire. But, God willing, this temporary ceasefire will be converted into a durable peace, and the flames of war will be extinguished permanently.” — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
Sharif emphasized that violations have been reported in some conflict zones, urging all parties to “exercise restraint and respect the ceasefire for two weeks, as agreed upon, so that diplomacy can take a lead role towards peaceful settlement of the conflict” .
Delegations: Who Will Be at the Table?
The talks will feature unprecedented high-level representation from both sides, reflecting the urgency of the diplomatic push .
United States Delegation
| Representative | Role |
|---|---|
| JD Vance | Vice President of the United States (Lead) |
| Steve Witkoff | Special Envoy to the Middle East |
| Jared Kushner | Former Senior Advisor to the President |
| Brad Cooper | Senior CENTCOM Commander |
*Sources: Pakistan Observer, Anadolu Ajansı *
Iranian Delegation
| Representative | Role |
|---|---|
| Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf | Parliament Speaker (Lead) |
| Abbas Araghchi | Foreign Minister |
| Majid Takht-Ravanchi | Deputy Foreign Minister |
| Mohammad Baqir Zulqadr | Secretary of Supreme National Security Council |
| Four Senior Commanders | Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) |
*Sources: Pakistan Observer, Anadolu Ajansı *
According to government sources, the negotiations will be a mix of direct face-to-face meetings and indirect contacts facilitated by the Pakistani hosts. “The two sides will also sit face to face, and hold separate talks with the Pakistani side,” one source told Anadolu Ajansı .
Venue and Security: Islamabad on Lockdown
The Pakistani capital has been placed under unprecedented security lockdown ahead of the arrival of the foreign delegations. The Serena Hotel, a five-star property in the city’s heavily guarded Red Zone, has been vacated and brought under government supervision for the duration of the talks .
Security personnel patrol a road in Islamabad as the capital braces for high-level US-Iran talks. More than 10,000 officers have been deployed to secure the city .
More than 10,000 security personnel have been deployed across the federal capital, including approximately 6,000 capital police officers, 900 Frontier Constabulary personnel, 3,000 from the Punjab Constabulary, and additional troops from the Rangers and Pakistan Army .
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who chaired a special security meeting, confirmed that the Red Zone will be “fully sealed,” with access restricted only to authorized personnel. A dedicated control room has been established at the Ministry of Interior to oversee operations .
Roads leading to the diplomatic enclave have been blocked, schools in nearby sectors have shifted to remote learning, and government offices have announced temporary closures to ease movement restrictions .
“It feels like the city is holding its breath. We have been told that Thursday and Friday are holidays. Security convoys are everywhere.” — Fatima Ali, Hospital worker in Islamabad
What’s on the Agenda?
The agenda for the Islamabad talks remains fluid, but several critical issues are expected to dominate the discussions :
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Strait of Hormuz | Full reopening of the waterway to commercial traffic; removal of IRGC restrictions |
| Permanent Ceasefire | Converting the two-week truce into a lasting peace agreement |
| Iran’s Nuclear Program | Enrichment levels, stockpile reduction, and IAEA access |
| Sanctions Relief | Unfreezing of Iranian assets and lifting of economic sanctions |
| Regional De-escalation | Addressing conflicts in Lebanon and Yemen |
| American Detainees | Release of US citizens held in Iranian prisons |
While the temporary ceasefire was conditioned on Iran’s agreement to the “COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz,” maritime tracking data indicates that only a handful of vessels—mostly Iranian-linked—have successfully transited since the truce took effect .
Pakistan’s Diplomatic Triumph
The Islamabad talks represent a major diplomatic victory for Pakistan, which has positioned itself as a key mediator between Washington and Tehran throughout the conflict. The country leveraged its unique relationships with both sides—maintaining ties with Iran while also serving as a strategic partner of the United States .
Prime Minister Sharif personally requested President Trump to extend his deadline for two weeks to allow diplomacy to run its course, while simultaneously urging Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz as a goodwill gesture .
World leaders have heaped praise on Pakistan’s mediation efforts:
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed “sincere appreciation for the efforts of Pakistan and other countries involved in facilitating the ceasefire” .
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote on X: “We thank Pakistan for its mediation. The aim now is to negotiate a lasting end to the war” .
- EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen thanked Pakistan for its mediation, calling the ceasefire “much-needed de-escalation” .
- Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim commended Pakistan’s “tireless and courageous” diplomacy, stating that “Pakistan’s willingness to speak to all sides, without fear or favour, reflects the highest traditions of Muslim solidarity and international responsibility” .
Challenges Ahead: Lebanon, Enrichment, and Trust
Despite the optimism surrounding the talks, significant hurdles remain. Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has insisted that negotiations will not proceed in good faith until two conditions are met: a full ceasefire in Lebanon and the unfreezing of Iran’s blocked assets .
The Lebanese front remains active, with Hezbollah launching missile attacks on Israel as recently as Thursday and Israel conducting airstrikes that killed over 300 people in a single 24-hour period. Prime Minister Sharif has specifically urged all parties to “respect the ceasefire” amid reports of violations in the conflict zones .
Furthermore, the nuclear issue remains deeply contentious. While President Trump has claimed that Iran has agreed to stop enriching uranium, Iranian officials have publicly insisted that the country retains the right to enrich under any agreement—a discrepancy that will need to be resolved at the negotiating table.
What Comes Next
The talks are expected to begin tomorrow morning, April 11, at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad. According to government sources, the negotiations could extend beyond a single day and may continue for “several days” given the “complex nature of the issue” .
There is no fixed timeframe for the negotiations. The two sides will engage in a mix of direct and indirect contacts, with the Pakistani army playing a key role in facilitating the discussions at a military site under heightened security .
Vice President Vance is expected to arrive in Islamabad today ahead of the talks, while Iran’s delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Araghchi, is also scheduled to land in the Pakistani capital .
As the city waits—secured, scrutinized, and suspended between tension and hope—the world watches to see whether the “Islamabad Talks” can succeed where so many previous efforts have failed.
“As long as they are talking, there is still a chance. Everyone here just wants stability. We have seen enough instability already.” — Fatima Ali, Islamabad resident
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When and where will the US-Iran talks take place?
The talks are scheduled to begin tomorrow, April 11, 2026, at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan. The US and Iranian delegations are expected to arrive today, April 10 .
2. Who is leading the US delegation?
Vice President JD Vance will lead the US delegation, accompanied by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and senior CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper .
3. Who is leading the Iranian delegation?
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf will lead the delegation, alongside Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi, and four senior IRGC commanders .
4. What will be discussed at the talks?
Key agenda items include the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a permanent ceasefire, Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, the release of American detainees, and regional de-escalation in Lebanon and Yemen .
5. How long will the talks last?
There is no fixed timeframe. Government sources indicate the negotiations could last “several days” given the complexity of the issues, with a mix of direct and indirect contacts .
6. Has a ceasefire already been agreed?
Yes. A two-week temporary ceasefire was announced on April 7, brokered by Pakistan. The Islamabad talks aim to convert this temporary pause into a permanent peace agreement .
7. What security measures are in place in Islamabad?
More than 10,000 security personnel have been deployed. The Red Zone has been sealed, the Serena Hotel vacated and secured, and schools and government offices have announced temporary closures .
Stay informed with Reflecto News – Your trusted source for breaking diplomatic and geopolitical intelligence. Subscribe for real-time updates from the Islamabad peace talks as the world watches for a historic breakthrough.