US-Iran Peace Talks Begin in Pakistan Amid Ceasefire and Mutual Distrust

The United States and Iran convened peace talks in Islamabad, marking the highest-level negotiations since 1979.

Vice President JD Vance led the U.S. delegation, while Iran was represented by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Al Jazeera

Vance warned that if Iran try to play us, the negotiating team is not that receptive.

Ghalibaf responded that the Iranian delegation had good intentions but we do not trust.

Pakistan deployed over 10,000 security personnel to secure the capital and the Serena Hotel.

Iran insisted that the ceasefire extend to Lebanon and that its blocked assets be unfrozen.

The talks were overshadowed by unresolved issues including Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz and the conflict in Lebanon.

The strait remained effectively closed, with only a handful of ships transiting since the ceasefire.

Al Jazeera

Trump vowed to have it open soon with or without Iran's cooperation.

Israel and Hezbollah continued to exchange strikes despite the U.S.-Iran truce.

Israel insisted the ceasefire did not cover Lebanon.

Israeli and Lebanese diplomats planned to meet in Washington next week.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency put the total number of people killed in Iran at almost 3,400.

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Al-Akhbar al-Yawm

Lebanon's health ministry reported at least 1,953 people killed in the fighting.

In Israel, at least 23 people had died.

The American death toll stood at 13 service members.

The continuing conflict in Lebanon complicated the peace process.

The Iranian delegation's flight was named Minab-168, referencing the 168 people killed in a school strike.

Ghalibaf posted images of burnt school bags and pictures of the school girls killed.

All Israel News

The symbolism set a somber tone for talks that both sides publicly downplayed.

In Tehran, a resident expressed skepticism, describing most of what Trump says as pure noise and nonsense.

The talks represented a make or break moment after six weeks of war.