Iran’s Supreme Leader has approved the country’s delegation to attend peace talks in Islamabad, signalling a major diplomatic breakthrough amid rising tensions with the United States.
The decision clears the way for negotiations aimed at easing hostilities before the ceasefire deadline on April 22.
Vice President JD Vance will lead the US delegation, while President Donald Trump warned that renewed strikes on Iranian infrastructure could follow if no agreement is reached. The White House confirmed that it awaited Tehran’s final approval before dispatching its team.
Sources said internal pressure from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard delayed the decision, with demands to lift the US blockade before talks. Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey reportedly played key roles in persuading Tehran to participate.
Pakistan has deployed nearly 20,000 security personnel across Islamabad and Rawalpindi to secure the visiting delegations. The deployment includes elite commandos, snipers, and specialised units such as the Punjab Highway Patrol and Quick Response Teams. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi assured Iran’s Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam that all arrangements for the second round of negotiations were complete.
The Islamabad talks mark a crucial moment in regional diplomacy, with both sides under pressure to prevent escalation and find common ground.
