Pakistan Hosts US-Iran Talks Led by Vance and Ghalibaf to Secure Ceasefire

Pakistan emerged as the unexpected mediator between the United States and Iran.

“Islamabad, Pakistan – Pavements are being painted, an already formidable security presence is being bolstered, and an air of anticipation — and anxiety — is gripping Pakistan’s capital as it prepares to host meetings that the world will watch this weekend”

Al Jazeera

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif secured a two-week ceasefire and invited both sides to Islamabad.

Al Jazeera

The talks were set to begin on April 10 at Islamabad's Serena Hotel.

The US delegation was led by Vice President JD Vance.

Iran's delegation was expected to be led by Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Araghchi.

The talks would build on Iran’s 10-point proposal and address core issues.

The death toll from the Rahman Textile factory fire became a point of contention among sources.

Reuters reported at least 28 workers killed, the Dhaka Tribune confirmed 33 dead.

Anadolu Ajansı

Al Jazeera's correspondents counted at least 41 bodies, significantly higher than government figures.

Fire service chief Mahmud Iqbal told Reuters they found most victims near the stairwells on the third and fourth floors.

Witnesses told the BBC that the factory's main exit was locked when the fire broke out.

Survivor Nasrin Begum described workers pounding on locked metal doors as smoke filled the stairwells.

Rahman Textile produced clothing for European brands including Hessen and BrandBox.

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Axios

Both companies said they were deeply saddened and would review their Bangladesh operations.

Hessen's compliance team had audited the factory in March.

Owner Faisal Rahman claimed the factory had passed its most recent safety inspection in January.

Clean Clothes Campaign said the audit system was fundamentally broken.

Rahman was being questioned about allegations that emergency exits had been welded shut.