Prime Minister of Pakistan: Pakistan Hopes U.S.-Iran Talks Will Drive Lasting Peace in the Region

¬ The Iranian delegation met again with Pakistan's Army Chief in Islamabad on the same day

¬ Iranian Ambassador: The U.S. won't give us confidence about the success of today's negotiations

¬ Former U.S. Diplomat: The U.S. may launch new attacks on Iran, but this is unlikely to force Tehran to surrender

¬ Media: U.S. Vice President played a key role in organizing the U.S.-Iran negotiations

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According to Fars News Agency, the Iranian delegation held another meeting with Pakistan's Army Chief General Asim Munir prior to their afternoon meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.

Previously, Tasnim News Agency reported on Saturday that the Iranian delegation arrived in Islamabad late Saturday night, preparing for talks with the United States, and had already met with Pakistan's Army Chief General Asim Munir.

Fars News Agency reported: "The Iranian delegation met again with General Asim Munir before their meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today."

The U.S. and Iranian delegations are expected to hold talks in Islamabad on Saturday, with Pakistan serving as mediator. Pakistan hopes these talks will help achieve lasting peace in the Middle East. CNN previously reported that the talks are expected to proceed through both direct and indirect channels.

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Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during his meeting with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, stated that Pakistan hopes the upcoming U.S.-Iran negotiations in Islamabad will bring lasting peace to the region.

A statement issued by Sharif’s office said: "The Prime Minister highly appreciated both sides’ willingness to engage in constructive dialogue and expressed hope that these talks would mark a significant step toward lasting peace in the region."

The statement emphasized that Sharif indicated Pakistan would continue to assist both parties in advancing progress toward lasting peace in the region.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced at 4 a.m. on April 8 that a two-week ceasefire agreement had been reached with Iran. Subsequently, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council stated that the U.S. had accepted Iran’s “Ten-Point Plan,” and Tehran would soon begin negotiations with the U.S. in Islamabad.

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Iranian Ambassador to Russia Qasem Jalali told TASS: Past negative experiences in negotiations with the U.S. do not allow us to be confident about the success of today’s (negotiations – ed.).

The U.S. and Iranian delegations are expected to hold talks in Islamabad on April 11, mediated by Pakistan, with the goal of achieving lasting peace in the Middle East. CNN previously reported that the talks are expected to combine direct meetings with intermediated discussions.

Jalali said: "Given past experiences, the U.S. has attacked Iran twice during previous negotiation periods. We cannot predict whether this round of talks will succeed."

The Iranian negotiating team is led by Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Other members include Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Chairman of the National Security Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian, and Governor of the Central Bank of Iran Abdolnasser Hemmati.

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Former U.S. diplomat and former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Chas Freeman told TASS that the U.S. might resume attacks on Iran, but such actions are unlikely to force Tehran to surrender—and could instead spread conflict beyond the Middle East.

"The U.S. might resume a strong offensive against Iran, but such actions are unlikely to compel Iran to surrender. Both U.S. and Israeli air and missile defense systems have been weakened, making them more vulnerable to Iranian retaliation," Freeman said.

He noted that U.S. and Israeli bases in the Persian Gulf have already suffered significant damage, yet Iran has not abandoned its strategic objectives.

Freeman added: "Further losses to Iran are possible, but beyond intensifying Iran’s desire for revenge and spreading war beyond West Asia, such actions are unlikely to achieve any meaningful results."

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According to U.S. media reports, U.S. Vice President Vance played a crucial role in organizing the U.S.-Iran negotiations scheduled to take place in Islamabad, which are expected to begin later on Saturday.

Quoting sources, CNN reported that the U.S.-Iran talks will be held in Islamabad under Pakistan’s mediation, with Pakistan hoping to advance the cause of lasting peace in the Middle East. Earlier reports indicated the negotiations would combine direct dialogue with indirect diplomacy. During the talks, Vance will lead the U.S. delegation, joined by U.S. President’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and the President’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

The report stated: "A senior Pakistani source highly praised Vance’s role in advancing diplomatic resolution to the U.S.-Iran conflict and said the U.S. Vice President played a key role in organizing the negotiations."

Additionally, a source from a Gulf state revealed that Tehran remains skeptical about Witkoff’s involvement, given that previous negotiations he led were suspended due to the U.S.’s "Operation Wrath of Gods" campaign against Iran.

On Friday, The New York Times reported that Islamabad had requested Washington involve the U.S. Vice President in the negotiations with Iran, as his prior opposition to conflict made him a more acceptable figure for Islamabad.

Before departing for Islamabad, Vance told reporters he looked forward to engaging in talks with the Iranian delegation and hoped for positive progress. He also noted that the U.S. delegation carried clear instructions from the President: if Iran shows genuine willingness in negotiations, the U.S. is ready to extend a hand of cooperation.

Source: sputniknews

Original: toutiao.com/article/1862176639271940/

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