Iran Conditions US Deal On 'America First' Approach In Islamabad Talks

Iran and the United States commenced high-stakes negotiations in Islamabad on April 11, 2026.

Iran's Vice President Aref framed the talks as contingent on whether American negotiators adopt an America First approach rather than an Israel First agenda.

Al Jazeera

The Iranian delegation was led by Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf and included Foreign Minister Araghchi and Central Bank Governor Hemmati.

The US team was headed by Vice President JD Vance alongside Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the talks as make or break.

The talks follow a Pakistan-brokered temporary ceasefire announced on April 8.

Iran entered the talks with deep distrust stemming from repeated breaches and betrayals by the US.

The Rahman Textile factory fire in Narayanganj, Bangladesh, which killed at least 28 workers, added to regional tensions.

Al-Jazeera Net

Clean Clothes Campaign spokesperson Ineke Zeldenrust told the Guardian that the audit system was fundamentally broken.

The Dhaka Tribune reported that Rahman Textile owner Faisal Rahman was being questioned about allegations that the factory's emergency exits had been welded shut.

The US-Iran ceasefire market on PredictIt sat at 100% YES.

President Trump faced growing Republican rifts over the Iran war.

Conservative activist Laura Loomer rejected the notion of brokering a deal.

Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene called for Trump to be removed from office.

Some Republican leaders remained largely silent as the party faced fierce headwinds ahead of the November midterms.