Pakistan to host US-Iran talks amid escalating tensions: All you need to know

The United States and Iran are holding their highestlevel talks in years in Islamabad in an effort to turn a fragile twoweek ceasefire into a lasting peace agreement The discussions brokered by Pakistan come after weeks of intense conflict that disrupted global energy markets and raised fears of a wider regional crisisThe ceasefire agreed on April 8 is set to expire on April 22 making these negotiations crucial for preventing further escalation Here is all you need to know about the discussion held in IslamabadThe cause of these talks held in Islamabad The WarThe talks follow a deadly conflict that began on February 28 when the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran The attacks reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and targeted key military and nuclear facilities leaving more than 2000 people dead over five weeksIranrsquos response had global consequences By effectively shutting down the Strait of Hormuz a strategically vital route for nearly 20 per cent of the worldrsquos oil and gas the country triggered a surge in energy prices and disrupted international tradeAmid rising tensions a breakthrough came on April 8 when both sides agreed to a twoweek ceasefire mediated by Pakistan But with the truce set to expire on April 22 and problems with Israels deadly attacks on Lebanon the pressure to reach a longerterm solution and discuss the policies is mountingHow did Pakistan come in the picture as a mediator moreover a peacemakerPakistanrsquos role in hosting and mediating these talks has drawn global attention The country usually known for military problems bad economy and terrorism aka not usually known for hosting such highlevel negotiations has positioned itself as a key diplomatic bridgeIts unique relationships have played a role in this effort At the same time Islamabad has built strong ties with the United States Saudi Arabia and China giving it a unique diplomatic positionIn late March Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar visited Beijing where China backed Pakistanrsquos mediation efforts as being ldquoin keeping with the common interests of all partiesrdquo Former US President Donald Trump also said China helped bring Iran to the negotiating table A Pakistani official noted ldquoOn ceasefire night hopes were fading but China stepped in and convinced Iran to agree to a preliminary ceasefirerdquo reported AFPThis combination of access and influence has allowed Pakistan to act as a bridge between two longtime adversariesWhat is the major agenda of these talks nowDespite the talks significant disagreements persist between the two sidesThe United States has proposed a 15point plan focusing on limiting Iranrsquos nuclear programme controlling ballistic missiles reopening the Strait of Hormuz and easing sanctionsIran however has presented its own 10point plan demanding control over the strait imposing tolls on passing vessels ending regional military operations and lifting all sanctionsTensions have also been heightened by continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon Iranrsquos President Masoud Pezeshkian criticised these actions saying they made the negotiations ldquomeaninglessrdquo and warning ldquoOur hands remain on the triggerrdquoIsrael continued its strikes in the country targeting Hezbollah after the ceasefire came into force with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejecting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs assertion that the truce included Lebanon US Vice President JD Vance appeared to take a softer tone saying there may have been a legitimate misunderstanding from Iran that Lebanon would be includedKey figures who will be at the tableThe talks are being led by top officials from both sides US Vice President JD Vance is heading the American delegation joined by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared KushnerOn the Iranian side Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf are leading the discussions This marks the highestlevel engagement between Washington and Tehran since the 2015 nuclear deal negotiations highlighting the seriousness of the current crisis reported the news agencyIslamabad under tight securityAs diplomacy unfolds Islamabad has been turned into a highsecurity zoneAuthorities have not officially disclosed the venue but strict measures are in place across the capital The Serena Hotel in the Red Zone was cleared of guests and a sudden twoday public holiday was announced to minimise movementThe talks themselves are expected to be indirect US and Iranian officials are likely seated in separate rooms with Pakistani mediators carrying proposals back and forth mirroring earlier negotiation formatsOutside the city remains tense but quiet with heavy security deployments and restricted movementCould this actually shape the future making Pakistan the world hero for peaceWith the ceasefire deadline approaching the Islamabad talks represent a critical turning point Success could stabilise not just USIran relations but also global energy markets and regional security also etching Pakistans name in the books for playing a key role as a peacemakerFailure however risks plunging the region back into conflict with far reaching global consequencesWith AFP Inputs