Iranian and United States delegations are set to meet today in Islamabad, Pakistan, for rare peace talks aimed at securing a permanent ceasefire.
The meeting follows a 14-day ceasefire brokered by Pakistan on Wednesday, which paused weeks of conflict that began on February 28 after joint attacks on Iran by the US and Israel.
The attacks reportedly left over 3,000 people dead, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Sources within the Pakistani government told Anadolu that the talks will feature direct engagement between both sides and could extend beyond a single day, as no fixed timeline has been agreed.
US delegation
The White House confirmed that Vice President JD Vance will lead the US delegation. Other members include President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and US Central Command Commander Admiral Brad Cooper.
JD Vance
Vance served as a combat correspondent in the US Marines from 2003 to 2007, including a deployment to Iraq in 2005. He later entered politics, winning an election to the Ohio Senate in 2022.
Steve Witkoff
A real estate businessman, Steve Witkoff, has served as the US special envoy to the Middle East and for peace missions since 2025, playing a key negotiating role in the Russia–Ukraine war.
Jared Kushner
Jared Kushner previously served as a senior adviser during Trump’s first presidency and was involved in facilitating the Abraham Accords and other normalisation agreements between Israel and several Arab states in 2020.
Brad Cooper
Admiral Brad Cooper, who has participated in operations during the Gulf War, the Iraq War, the Yugoslav Wars, and the war in Afghanistan, has led US CENTCOM since 2025, becoming the first Navy admiral to hold the position since 2008.
Iranian delegation
Although Tehran has yet to confirm its delegation officially, reports indicate that the following officials will attend:
Abbas Araghchi
As a veteran diplomat and chief negotiator of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between the US and Iran, Araghchi is a key advocate for nuclear diplomacy and sanctions relief. Known for his calm, professional demeanor, he has consistently championed a pragmatic, diplomatic approach to Iranian interests, distinguishing himself from the government’s harder-line factions.
Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf
Speaker of Iran’s Parliament since 2020, Qalibaf is a “principlist” politician with extensive military and security roots. A former IRGC aerospace commander and chief of police, he also served as mayor of Tehran for over a decade. Due to his deep ties to the Revolutionary Guard, he is widely regarded as a hardline hawk on the international stage.
Majid Takht Ravanchi
As Iran’s UN ambassador between 2019 and 2022, Ravanchi was a key negotiator during the original JCPOA talks. A veteran diplomat, he continued his involvement in the 2025 Iran–US negotiations at the expert level.
Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr
In March 2026, former IRGC deputy commander Zolghadr succeeded Ali Larijani as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. A known hardliner, he also leads the Expediency Discernment Council.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Army Chief of Staff Asim Munir, and National Security Adviser Mohammad Asim Malik will represent Pakistan.
(AA)
