An Iranian delegation is set to arrive in Pakistan on Thursday night for high-level talks, as diplomatic efforts intensify to resolve the ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel. Tehran’s envoy to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, announced that delegates would arrive in the Pakistani capital to begin discussions on a 10-point framework proposed by Iran. In a post on Twitter he said, “Despite the skepticism of Iranian public opinion due to repeated ceasefire violations by the Israeli regime… the Iranian delegation is arriving in Islamabad tonight for serious talks based on the 10 points proposed by Iran.“The move comes alongside Washington’s decision to initiate direct engagement with Tehran. A US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance is also scheduled to reach Islamabad, with the first round of talks scheduled to take place on Saturday morning.According to White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt, the team will include Middle East envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian confirmed his participation in the talks after a phone conversation with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Tehran’s delegation is expected to be led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who plays a central role in the country’s wartime leadership.The diplomatic push follows a two-week ceasefire window announced by US President Donald Trump following what the administration has described as a decisive military operation against Iran. Ms Levitt said strikes by the US and Israel since February 28 had significantly reduced Iran’s ability to arm proxy groups in the region.Despite the pause, hostilities continue in parts of the region. In Lebanon, Israeli attacks continue targeting Hezbollah positions, with Iran alleging these actions are violations of the ceasefire. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the world was watching “the massacre in Lebanon” and added, “The ball is in the American court, and the world is watching whether it will act on its commitments.”Lebanon’s health ministry said 182 people were killed in Israeli strikes yesterday, the deadliest single day in the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict. In just over five weeks, 1,739 people were killed and 5,873 injured in the violence.Israel has supported a temporary moratorium on strikes against Iran but clarified that this does not extend to its military campaign in Lebanon. A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the ceasefire depended on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and stopping attacks on the US, Israel and other countries in the region.Speaking in Hungary, Vance cautioned Iran against jeopardizing the ceasefire over developments in Lebanon, saying it would be “foolish” to do so and that it would be Tehran’s “choice” if the talks “disintegrate.”French President Emmanuel Macron said he has told the leaders of both Iran and the United States that the ceasefire must be respected in all areas of the conflict, including Lebanon, as Israeli attacks on Beirut continue.The Strait of Hormuz remains the focal point of tension. Iranian media reported that passage through the strait had been largely blocked, while the White House said it had noticed an increase in shipping movement in the area. After promising to reopen the strait as part of ongoing negotiations, the IRGC Navy has also announced alternative transit routes for ships to avoid sea mines.
