SUMMIT IN ISLAMABAD: U.S. and Iran Eye High-Level Peace Talks as Thursday Deadline Looms
WASHINGTON / ISLAMABAD — In what could be the most significant diplomatic breakthrough of the “Second Iran War,” the United States and regional mediators are discussing the possibility of holding high-level peace talks with Iranian representatives as soon as Thursday, March 26, 2026.
According to a report by Axios, citing sources with knowledge of the discussions, the Trump administration is awaiting a final response from Tehran to confirm the summit. The potential meeting follows President Donald Trump’s decision to extend his ultimatum for Iran to reach a deal to Friday, March 27, while pausing strikes on the Islamic Republic’s energy infrastructure.
The Islamabad Format: Who is at the Table?
Pakistan has emerged as the frontrunner to host the high-stakes encounter. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on Tuesday that Pakistan stands “ready and honored” to facilitate “meaningful and conclusive talks.” President Trump later shared the Prime Minister’s statement on social media, signaling his personal interest in the venue.
Two potential tracks are currently under discussion:
- The “Diplomatic Track”: A meeting involving U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the President’s son-in-law, who have been laying the groundwork for weeks.
- The “Executive Track”: Axios identifies Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s Speaker of Parliament, as a potential key interlocutor for the U.S., despite public denials from Tehran that direct negotiations have already occurred.
While U.S. officials claim they are “talking to the right people,” Iranian officials—including Ghalibaf—have publicly denied being in direct negotiations, though they confirmed receiving “points and proposals” via mediators in Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey.
The “15-Point” Plan: Trump’s Vision for Peace
President Trump told reporters on Tuesday that the two sides already share “major points of agreement” on approximately 15 key issues. According to White House sources, the U.S. framework for ending the war includes:
- Nuclear Freeze: A total halt to all uranium enrichment and the handover of existing 60% enriched stockpiles.
- Missile Limits: A five-year suspension of long-range ballistic missile development.
- Hormuz Reopening: The immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to all international shipping.
- Regional Proxy Halt: An end to Iranian funding and command for groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis.
Israeli Wariness and the “Litani Line”
The potential for a Thursday summit has caused significant anxiety in Jerusalem. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that Washington thinks a deal is possible but vowed to continue striking Iran and Lebanon to protect Israeli interests.
Key Israeli Concerns:
- Unfinished Objectives: Israeli officials fear a Trump-brokered deal might include concessions—such as reframing war reparations as a “return of frozen assets”—before the IRGC’s regional capabilities are fully dismantled.
- The Lebanon Front: Israel announced today its intent to occupy southern Lebanon up to the Litani River. Netanyahu is wary that a U.S.-Iran deal could limit the IDF’s military options in establishing this “defensive buffer.”
The Friday Ultimatum
President Trump has emphasized that the five-day “tactical pause” on strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure remains a temporary grace period. If a formal agreement is not reached by Friday, March 27, the U.S. is expected to move into a “total infrastructure phase,” targeting Iran’s power, fuel, and communication grids.
What’s Next?
The world is now watching to see if the Iranian leadership—facing internal pressure and a historic diplomatic rift with Lebanon—will accept the invitation to Islamabad. The next 48 hours will determine if the “window for peace” remains open or if the conflict enters an even more destructive phase.