UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the upcoming peace talks between the United States and Iran, urging both sides to participate with genuine intent. According to a BBC report, his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said during a regular UN press briefing that the Secretary-General called on both parties to seize this diplomatic opportunity to move toward a lasting and comprehensive agreement and to reduce tensions.

Dujarric added that dialogue remains the only effective path to avoid conflict and prevent a return to a state of war. Guterres emphasized that there is no alternative to peaceful resolution of international disputes, which must be pursued in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.

The UN also confirmed that the Secretary-General’s personal envoy is currently in the region to support ongoing diplomatic efforts.

An Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf met Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for lunch on Saturday, according to a Pakistani government source. The meeting took place amid reports that the United States has agreed to release Iran’s frozen assets even before formal talks begin, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Sources indicated that Pakistan could act as a mediator in potential discussions between the United States and Iran. Pakistani officials may hold separate meetings with both sides to maintain communication channels, similar to previous diplomatic efforts. Ghalibaf stated that the United States must agree to unfreeze Iranian assets before any negotiations can start.

Iranian media have claimed that Washington has already agreed to this condition, though there has been no official confirmation from the United States so far. The discussions in Islamabad reportedly also touched on Iran’s assets and the Lebanon ceasefire issue, reflecting the complexity of the ongoing diplomatic situation.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has described his country’s mediation in potential peace talks between the United States and Iran as a proud moment not only for Pakistan but for the entire Muslim world. According to Pakistani media outlet The Dawn, Sharif expressed gratitude to the leadership of both nations for agreeing to a temporary ceasefire and to hold discussions in Islamabad aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution.

In a televised address, Sharif credited Pakistan’s diplomatic prudence and confidence for bringing Tehran and Washington to agree on a ceasefire. He praised Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s team for their tireless efforts and lauded Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir for his role in easing tensions and encouraging dialogue. Sharif cautioned, however, that while a temporary truce is in place, achieving lasting peace will be a long and challenging process.

Representatives from Iran and the United States are scheduled to meet in Islamabad on Saturday, April 11, at the Serena Hotel. An Iranian delegation led by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials, has already arrived in the Pakistani capital.

Pakistan has emerged as a mediator between the United States and Iran by hosting their first direct talks aimed at ending a war that has claimed thousands of lives. The discussions are taking place in Islamabad, signaling a remarkable transformation for a country long associated with security concerns and economic instability. The talks mark a significant change in relations between Islamabad and Washington since Donald Trump’s first presidential term, when he had sharply criticized Pakistan.

US Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner have arrived in Islamabad to participate in the negotiations. Vance is the highest-ranking US official to visit Pakistan since 2011. Analysts attribute this diplomatic breakthrough to a combination of geographic necessity, skilled diplomacy, and shifting regional alliances that have elevated Pakistan’s global standing.

The discussions face complications over Iran’s frozen assets and a ceasefire in Lebanon. Ahead of the talks, Tehran issued a stern message, while the UN Secretary-General called on both sides to engage constructively.

An Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf met Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, according to semi-official news agency Tasnim. The delegation, which arrived early Saturday, included Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the secretary of the Defense Council, the governor of the Central Bank of Iran, and several lawmakers.

The meeting took place as U.S. Vice President JD Vance was also in Islamabad leading an American delegation. Reports indicated that the discussions in Islamabad were complex, with key issues involving Iran’s assets and a ceasefire in Lebanon. Ahead of the talks, Tehran issued a firm message emphasizing its readiness to respond strongly if provoked.

The developments come amid heightened diplomatic activity involving Iran, Pakistan, and the United States, with the United Nations Secretary-General previously calling on both Washington and Tehran to engage in dialogue.

For the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the United States and Iran are set to hold high-level diplomatic talks. The historic meeting is taking place this afternoon in Islamabad, Pakistan, marking the first formal face-to-face dialogue between the two nations since the 2015 nuclear agreement. Relations had sharply deteriorated after the U.S. withdrawal from that deal in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump.

The U.S. delegation, led by Vice President J.D. Vance and including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, arrived in Islamabad on Saturday morning. They were received by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Army Chief General Asim Munir. Pakistan’s foreign ministry expressed hope that both sides would engage constructively and reiterated its willingness to mediate for a lasting resolution.

The meeting follows six weeks of war between Iran and the United States, triggered by a joint U.S.-Israeli strike that killed Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Analysts view the Islamabad talks as a decisive moment that could determine whether the conflict ends and the Strait of Hormuz reopens.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the upcoming peace talks between Iran and the United States, calling on both sides to participate with goodwill. His spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, conveyed the message during a press briefing at the UN on Friday, emphasizing the importance of using this opportunity to work toward a lasting and comprehensive agreement aimed at easing tensions and preventing renewed conflict.

Dujarric added that the Secretary-General reaffirmed there is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of disputes in full compliance with the UN Charter and international law. The UN’s position underscores its continued commitment to diplomatic solutions amid ongoing regional and bilateral strains.

The call comes as both nations prepare for discussions amid complex regional dynamics, including issues related to Iran’s assets and ceasefire efforts in Lebanon, as noted in related reports.

Pakistan has emerged at the center of global diplomacy as it hosts long-anticipated peace talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad. The discussions, beginning today, follow Pakistan’s successful mediation of a two-week ceasefire between Iran and its adversaries. To commemorate the occasion, Islamabad has been decorated with digital billboards displaying the ‘Islamabad Talks’ logo, and the government has declared a two-day public holiday.

The world’s attention is now on these talks, with hopes that they will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and bring an end to ongoing conflicts. Abdul Basit, a South Asia expert at Nanyang Technological University, described the development as a major victory for Pakistan, noting that the country helped avert a potential global crisis when others could not.

Analysts caution that failure of the talks could expose Pakistan to severe risks, including renewed conflict with neighboring Iran. For a nation that only two years ago faced near-default and continues to manage tense relations with India, the success of these negotiations is seen as crucial. Pakistani citizens have taken to social media to celebrate what they view as a diplomatic triumph.

Israel has come under intense international criticism following airstrikes in Lebanon during an ongoing ceasefire. On Friday, Israeli attacks in Nabatieh killed at least 13 security personnel, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. The strikes targeted areas near a government complex, including a state security office. Earlier in the week, an assault on a residential area in Beirut left more than 300 dead and over a thousand injured.

Countries across Europe, Asia, and South Asia have condemned the attacks. Pakistan, which mediated the ceasefire, sharply criticized Israel, while India and Japan expressed deep concern and urged respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty. Ireland’s foreign minister called the strikes “barbaric” and demanded enforcement of the ceasefire. The Arab League reaffirmed its solidarity with Lebanon and emphasized the need to include the country in the U.S.-Iran truce agreement.

Iran’s parliament speaker linked future talks with the United States to a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s frozen assets, signaling potential complications in upcoming negotiations in Islamabad.

A high-level and sensitive round of talks between Iran and the United States is set to begin in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital. Iran’s 71-member delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, includes senior officials such as Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Central Bank Governor Naser Hemmati, and members of the Supreme National Security Council. The US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, comprises around 100 members including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper, and White House Policy Planning Director Michael Anton.

At the center of the discussions is a 15-point proposal from the Trump administration, reportedly covering Iran’s nuclear commitments, uranium transfer, defense restrictions, and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has indicated it will negotiate based on its own 10-point plan, while Vance warned that Washington will maintain a firm stance if Tehran lacks goodwill. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the talks as a decisive moment for bilateral relations.

Security has been tightened around Islamabad’s Serena Hotel, where the discussions are taking place, reflecting the global significance of the negotiations.

A United States delegation has arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, to participate in discussions with Iran aimed at ending ongoing hostilities. The delegation is led by US Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by Jared Kushner and senior adviser Steve Witkoff. They were received by Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir, Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker. According to Reuters, around 100 members of the US delegation are already in the city.

The Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf, arrived earlier on Friday. It includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Deputy of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Bagheri Kani, and other senior officials. Pakistan’s top officials, including Ishaq Dar, Asim Munir, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, welcomed the Iranian team.

Reports indicate that the Islamabad talks face complexities, with key issues involving Iran’s frozen assets and a ceasefire in Lebanon. The United Nations Secretary-General has also urged both the United States and Iran to engage constructively before the discussions begin.

A 71-member Iranian delegation has arrived in Islamabad to participate in discussions with the United States. The delegation includes negotiators, experts, media representatives, and security personnel. It is led by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, National Defense Council Secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei among the members. Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Chief of Defense Forces and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi welcomed the delegation at Islamabad airport.

Before departing for Pakistan, U.S. delegation head and Vice President JD Vance expressed a positive outlook, saying the United States was ready to extend a helping hand if Iran approached the talks with goodwill. The discussions are expected to address complex issues, including Iran’s frozen assets and the Lebanon ceasefire.

Tehran has signaled a firm stance ahead of the talks, emphasizing that while an agreement with the United States may be possible, no such deal is expected with Israel.

China is reportedly preparing to deliver new air defense systems to Iran within the next few weeks, according to a CNN report citing three officials familiar with recent U.S. intelligence assessments. The intelligence review suggested that Iran may be using the current ceasefire period to reestablish certain weapons systems with the help of key foreign partners.

Two sources told CNN that Beijing might attempt to conceal the true origin of the weapons shipment by routing it through a third country. The systems reportedly include shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, known as MANPADS, which previously posed a significant threat to low-flying U.S. military aircraft during a five-week conflict and could do so again if the ceasefire collapses.

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington denied the allegations, stating that China has never supplied weapons to any party in the conflict. The spokesperson added that China fulfills its international obligations responsibly and urged the U.S. to stop making unfounded accusations and spreading sensational claims, calling for all sides to help reduce tensions.

Bangladesh has condemned the death of a Bangladeshi woman in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka issued a statement on Saturday expressing strong condemnation of the attack that killed Dipali Begum in Beirut. The statement also extended condolences to her family and expressed solidarity with them during this difficult time.

According to the ministry, Bangladesh denounced the recent Israeli attacks in Lebanon that caused civilian casualties and injuries. The statement said such incidents undermine ongoing efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region. The Bangladesh Embassy in Lebanon is in contact with Dipali Begum’s family and will arrange for the repatriation of her body depending on the situation.

The government reiterated its concern over the loss of civilian lives and emphasized the importance of regional peace and stability, as reflected in its official statement.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf arrived in Pakistan with an Iranian delegation to participate in discussions with the United States. A photograph taken inside his aircraft drew attention, showing empty seats adorned with pictures and belongings of children killed in the Minab school attack on February 28, the first day of the war. The attack, reportedly carried out by a US-Israeli coalition, claimed many lives, including schoolchildren.

Ghalibaf shared the image on the X platform, captioning it as a tribute to the victims of the Minab primary school, referring to them as his companions on the flight. Reports indicate that at least 165 people were killed and hundreds injured in the incident, which has since become central to Iran’s diplomatic messaging.

The discussions in Islamabad are beginning amid tensions over ceasefire negotiations, military strain, and fragile diplomatic conditions. Ghalibaf’s symbolic gesture was seen as a strong message before the talks commenced.