Islamabad [Pakistan], April 11 (ANI): As the world watches closely amid fragile ceasefire efforts, a US aircraft carrying a delegation for negotiations with Iran has landed in Islamabad, according to Al Jazeera, citing sources.
The Iranian delegation arrived after midnight, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. The US team includes lead negotiator Vice President JD Vance, along with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, Al Jazeera reported.
Following last week’s ceasefire announcement, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said on April 8 that talks could continue for up to 15 days. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the negotiations as “make or break,” the report said.
When the Iranian delegation’s aircraft entered Pakistani airspace, it was provided with extensive security, including Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, electronic warfare support, and fighter jet escorts.
According to Iran’s Embassy in India, the delegation accompanying Qalibaf includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Defense Council Secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Central Bank Chief Abdolnaser Hemmati, and several lawmakers.
The delegation was received by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi.
Security in Islamabad has been heightened, with roads leading to the Red Zone—home to Parliament, key government installations, embassies, and foreign organizations—barricaded as the capital prepares to host the high-stakes talks.
At the center of the negotiations is Iran’s 10-point proposal, which forms the basis of the discussions. The United States is focused on ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains open and preventing Iran from continuing uranium enrichment.
Former US President Donald Trump described Iran’s proposal as “workable,” while Iran had earlier characterized a US-proposed 15-point plan as “maximalist.”
Iran’s proposal reportedly includes commitments related to non-aggression, continued control over the Strait of Hormuz, acceptance of uranium enrichment, lifting of primary and secondary sanctions, termination of UN Security Council and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolutions, compensation to Iran, withdrawal of US combat forces from the region, and cessation of hostilities across multiple fronts, including in Lebanon.
However, US officials have expressed differing views on Iran’s proposal. Vice President Vance dismissed the publicly circulated version, calling it unreliable, according to Al Jazeera.
The US proposal includes conditions such as Iran committing to never develop nuclear weapons, halting domestic uranium enrichment, transferring enriched uranium stockpiles to the IAEA, allowing comprehensive monitoring of nuclear infrastructure, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending support for regional groups such as Hezbollah and the Houthis, lifting sanctions, and limiting missile capabilities.
Confusion has arisen due to discrepancies between Persian and English versions of the proposals, particularly regarding Iran’s right to enrich uranium.
Clarifying the US position, Trump said, “There is only one group of meaningful ‘points’ that are acceptable to the United States, and we will be discussing them behind closed doors during these negotiations.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that while Israel welcomed the ceasefire, it would continue operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah.
Earlier, an Israeli airstrike targeting a residential building in Mayfadoun in southern Lebanon reportedly killed three people and destroyed the structure, according to Al Jazeera. (ANI)
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