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.

Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has said that his country is prepared to do everything necessary and take as long as needed to help secure an agreement between the United States and Iran aimed at ending their ongoing conflict. He described the fact that discussions are taking place as a major success.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Sheikh explained that bringing Washington and Tehran to the negotiating table was not the result of any “magic word” but rather a process requiring persistence, patience, and continuous effort from all sides. He noted that each of these elements had been part of intensive diplomatic efforts over the past several weeks.

According to Sheikh, all parties have responded to Pakistan’s efforts to ensure a ceasefire and set a timeline for talks with a constructive attitude.

An Iranian delegation has arrived in Islamabad to participate in discussions with United States officials focused on achieving a ceasefire. Iranian media reported that the delegation reached the Pakistani capital on Friday night. The group includes several senior figures such as Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Supreme National Defense Council Secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, and former IRGC commander Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr. Several members of Iran’s parliament have also joined the delegation, according to the reports.

The talks are expected to address complex issues, including Iran’s frozen assets and the ongoing conflict in Lebanon. Ahead of the meeting, Tehran issued a firm message emphasizing its readiness to respond if provoked. The discussions are taking place amid heightened regional tensions and international calls for restraint from both Iran and the United States.

The outcome of the Islamabad talks could influence future diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington, particularly regarding regional stability and economic sanctions relief.

Delegations from the United States and Iran are meeting today, Saturday, in Islamabad to discuss steps toward a permanent end to the ongoing war. The Iranian delegation arrived Friday afternoon, while the US team was expected overnight. Despite Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon violating the ceasefire, Pakistan confirmed that the long-anticipated talks would proceed. The meeting is being held at the Serena Hotel near Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry under unprecedented security measures, with major roads closed and military personnel deployed across the city.

The US delegation includes Vice President JD Vance, adviser Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, while Iran’s team is led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior officials are mediating. The discussions are expected to last several days and will be based on Iran’s ten-point proposal, which includes conditions for the Strait of Hormuz and ceasefire terms.

The talks come amid uncertainty as Israeli strikes continue in Lebanon, threatening the ceasefire. Both sides remain divided over Hormuz tolls and regional security, raising doubts about the meeting’s outcome.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the upcoming Iran-United States talks in Islamabad, set to begin on Saturday, as a life-or-death struggle aimed at achieving a permanent ceasefire in the Middle East. He expressed optimism that the discussions were moving in the right direction. Sharif confirmed that US Vice President JD Vance was en route to Islamabad and that two Iranian delegations had departed for Pakistan.

Earlier, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran would not begin talks with the United States until a ceasefire was reached in Lebanon and its frozen assets were released. Sharif noted that both sides were shaping narratives for their domestic audiences, adding that Iran was clearly unwilling to endanger Hezbollah.

The talks are drawing global attention as they are seen as a critical step toward easing regional tensions and possibly preventing further escalation if negotiations fail.

Bangladeshi fast bowler Nahid Rana delivered a standout performance in his second Pakistan Super League (PSL) match on Thursday, helping Peshawar Zalmi secure a record-breaking victory over Karachi Kings in Karachi. After a forgettable debut where he conceded 30 runs in three overs, Nahid bounced back impressively, taking three wickets for just seven runs in four overs, including one maiden over.

Peshawar Zalmi, batting first after losing the toss, posted a massive total of 246 for three wickets, powered by a century from Sri Lankan batsman Kusal Mendis (109) and an 87-run innings from captain Babar Azam. In reply, Karachi Kings were bowled out for only 87 runs, with Nahid Rana and spinners Iftikhar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqim leading the attack. The 159-run margin marked the largest victory by runs in PSL history.

The result highlighted Nahid Rana’s rapid improvement and reinforced Peshawar Zalmi’s strong position in the tournament after a dominant all-round display.

Top leaders from the United States and Iran are set to meet in Islamabad on Saturday, April 11, 2026, for diplomatic talks aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East. Pakistan is hosting and mediating the meeting, which is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the region’s future. The White House confirmed that discussions will begin in the morning, focusing primarily on achieving a ceasefire.

The US delegation will be led by Vice President JD Vance, joined by President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Iran’s team will be headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accompanied by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif may hold separate meetings with both sides beforehand, while Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is expected to act as mediator.

Security in Islamabad has been tightened significantly, with major roads closed and media access restricted. The talks will center on Iran’s ten-point proposal and a possible fifteen-point US counterproposal addressing military presence, nuclear programs, and regional stability.

The Pakistan Navy rescued 18 sailors, including Bangladeshi nationals, from a commercial vessel named 'Gold Autumn' in the northern Arabian Sea. The operation took place after the ship sent a distress signal, prompting a rapid response from naval forces. The rescued crew members were transported to Karachi for advanced medical treatment, according to a statement released on Friday, April 10, 2026.

The Pakistani military confirmed that the rescued sailors included citizens of Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The statement added that all individuals were brought safely to Karachi, where they are receiving necessary medical care and will later be repatriated to their respective countries.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the reason behind the distress signal or the circumstances that led to the emergency call from the 'Gold Autumn'.

Pakistan has implemented extensive security measures in its capital, Islamabad, ahead of a possible meeting between the United States and Iran. According to Al Jazeera, nearly 10,000 security personnel, including police, army, and special forces commandos, have been deployed across the city. Schools and offices have been closed for a day to ensure the event proceeds smoothly, and all roads leading to the government’s ‘Red Zone’ have been sealed off. The meeting, initially scheduled for today, has been postponed to tomorrow due to logistical issues.

Local sources describe the situation as a highly sensitive diplomatic moment that took weeks of preparation and faced last-minute complications. Delegates from various countries have already begun arriving in Islamabad, though Pakistani officials have not disclosed who is attending or what will be discussed.

Officials expressed optimism that the talks could yield positive outcomes contributing to regional peace, though key details about Iran’s conditions and the meeting’s agenda remain undisclosed.

Pakistan’s potential role as mediator in upcoming discussions between the United States and Iran is both crucial and risky, according to Maria Sultan, chairperson of the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute University. Speaking to Al Jazeera from Islamabad, she noted that Pakistan maintains close ties with Saudi Arabia and Gulf states while sharing a border with Iran, where prolonged instability would be undesirable for Islamabad.

Sultan explained that Pakistan initiated the mediation effort amid the inaction of major global powers, as NATO and the European Union did not step forward and the United States felt isolated. She argued that Pakistan’s ability to maintain relationships across diverse cultures and power blocs positioned it uniquely for this role. Cooperation from Saudi Arabia and China, along with interest from the involved parties, has also supported the process.

While describing the situation as cautiously optimistic, Sultan warned that a full-scale regional war could have devastating consequences, including civilian casualties, damage to energy infrastructure, and potential nuclear risks. She emphasized that the talks, though difficult, could lead to a positive outcome if all sides recognize the realities of war and the value of peace.

An Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf has arrived in Pakistan to hold discussions with U.S. representatives headed by Vice President J.D. Vance, according to a Wall Street Journal report on April 10, 2026. The talks are expected to take place in Islamabad, though uncertainty remains over whether they will proceed.

The main point of contention stems from Lebanon’s exclusion from a recent ceasefire between Iran and the United States. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who mediated the truce, announced that Lebanon would be covered by the ceasefire. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later declared that Lebanon was not included, followed by Israeli military strikes that killed over 200 people and injured around 1,200. Iran has since demanded that attacks on Lebanon stop before any dialogue with the U.S. can continue.

Israeli media outlet Kan reported that Iran has suspended its planned talks with the U.S. in Islamabad, as Tehran insists on including Lebanon in the ceasefire framework.

Uncertainty surrounds the planned talks between the United States and Iran over ending the ongoing war, though Pakistan is fully preparing to host the meeting in Islamabad. Representatives from Washington and Tehran are expected to meet in the Pakistani capital, where strict security measures have been implemented, including road closures around the Red Zone that houses government buildings and embassies.

According to BBC correspondent Lyse Doucet, a senior Iranian foreign ministry official said the meeting has not yet been finalized. Reports that an Iranian delegation had already arrived in Islamabad were denied, and related social media posts were removed. Despite this, Pakistan’s preparations suggest that the talks may proceed as planned.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency, which is close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that discussions will not take place until a ceasefire is achieved in Lebanon. Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh reiterated this position in an interview with the BBC’s ‘Today’ program.

Pakistan has pledged full cooperation and support to the United States and Iran to help achieve a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir held a meeting in Islamabad ahead of planned peace talks. The meeting reviewed progress in Pakistan’s mediation efforts and emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and ceasefire by all parties.

According to a government statement released on Thursday, both leaders praised the restraint shown by the United States and Iran and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to assist both sides in reaching a peaceful settlement through dialogue. The statement highlighted Islamabad’s continuing role as a mediator in the region.

The meeting took place just before Pakistan was set to host delegations from the United States and Iran following the announcement of a temporary ceasefire brokered by Islamabad.

A report from Middle East Eye, cited by Amar Desh, details how Pakistan’s nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan secretly assisted Iran’s nuclear ambitions through an international proliferation network. Khan, known as the father of Pakistan’s atomic program, allegedly provided Iran, Libya, and North Korea with nuclear technology and centrifuge designs. His actions, conducted under the watch of Israeli intelligence, were intended to challenge Western dominance and empower Muslim nations with nuclear capability.

The report traces the origins of Pakistan’s nuclear program to the 1970s under Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who viewed nuclear weapons as essential for national survival after India’s 1974 test. Despite U.S. sanctions and Israeli opposition, Pakistan developed its own bomb by 1998. Khan’s network later supplied Iran with thousands of used centrifuges and key components between 1986 and 2001, while Iranian scientists trained in Pakistan.

The network was exposed in 2003 when Libya disclosed its dealings with Khan to Western intelligence. Khan confessed in 2004 to aiding Iran, Libya, and North Korea, claiming he acted alone. His actions reshaped nuclear politics in the Muslim world and left Pakistan as the only Muslim-majority nuclear power.

Pakistani officials have released a preliminary list of participants for a potential peace dialogue between the United States and Iran, aimed at easing ongoing tensions between the two nations. The meeting is scheduled to take place in Islamabad on Saturday, though details and the final list of attendees are still being finalized.

According to the initial outline, Pakistan may be represented by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Syed Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and National Security Adviser and ISI Chief Asim Malik. The possible US delegation could include Vice President J.D. Vance, White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, former presidential adviser Jared Kushner, and CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper. Iran’s potential representatives are Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi.

Analysts cited in the report suggest that if successful, the meeting could play a significant role in reducing US-Iran tensions, though the final framework of the talks remains uncertain.