No format decided yet for US Iran peace talks, discussions may be held in separate rooms
US and Iran delegations arrive for ceasefire talks in Islamabad, but no format is finalized, with discussions possibly held in separate rooms.
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Delegations from the United States and Iran have arrived to participate in ceasefire talks, but the format of the negotiations has not yet been finalized. According to Tasnim News Agency, the Iranian team is scheduled to meet Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.
The Iranian delegation, consisting of 71 members, reached Pakistan late Friday night. As per Xinhua, multiple arrangements have been made for the talks, including both direct face-to-face discussions and indirect talks conducted in separate rooms. Pakistan has prepared for both scenarios, either facilitating direct dialogue or acting as a mediator by relaying messages between the two sides.
According to Al Jazeera, both delegations are likely to stay in the same hotel in Islamabad but may avoid direct interaction. Instead, they are expected to remain in separate rooms while Pakistani officials communicate messages between them.
There are clear differences in the positions of both sides. Iran wants to maintain its influence over the Strait of Hormuz and does not want to give up uranium enrichment. On the other hand, US President Donald Trump has emphasized that the agreement must ensure Iran does not possess nuclear weapons.
On the Hormuz issue, Trump has stated that the route will be opened at any cost, with or without Iran’s cooperation. Meanwhile, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has taken a cautious stance, saying that Iran is entering the talks with good intentions but without trust. He noted that previous rounds of negotiations have failed to produce concrete results and agreements were often violated.
Ghalibaf подчеркнул that any agreement will depend on the US approach. He said that if the US is ready for a genuine deal that respects the rights of the Iranian people, Iran will also show readiness for compromise. He also warned against dishonesty in diplomatic efforts, stating that Iran would respond strongly if talks are used to conceal actions without real intent.