JD Vance Leads US Delegation to Pakistan as Iran Talks Set to Begin

ISLAMABAD, Apr 11: U.S. Vice President JD Vance is leading the American delegation to Islamabad as Washington and Tehran prepare to begin high-stakes talks aimed at easing regional tensions.

The U.S. team includes President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner. On the Iranian side, the delegation is headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, which had already arrived in Islamabad ahead of the negotiations.

Vice President JD Vance walks to speak with the Press before boarding Air Force Two, Friday, April 10, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., for expected departure to Pakistan, for talks on Iran. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, pool)

Before departing, Vance issued a warning to Tehran not to “play” the United States, signaling a firm stance ahead of the discussions. Hours later, Qalibaf said talks would only proceed if Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Lebanon and if blocked Iranian assets are released.

According to CNN, Vance has played a central role in bringing both sides to the negotiating table, with a senior Pakistani source saying the vice president helped push forward efforts to reach a diplomatic solution. Talks are expected to begin within hours and could extend over several days as both sides work toward a potential ceasefire.

Pakistani officials are reportedly hoping to persuade Vance to remain in the country to support the negotiation process as it unfolds.

However, tensions persist within the diplomatic track. A senior regional source said Iranian officials have little trust in Witkoff, who led previous rounds of talks that collapsed following U.S. strikes on Iran, undermining confidence in the process.

Despite the challenges, Trump is overseeing the renewed diplomatic push, with U.S. officials seeking to revive negotiations and de-escalate tensions between the two sides.