Indirect diplomacy between the United States and Iran is converging in Islamabad, with Washington striking a tone of cautious optimism while acknowledging that the process remains fragile and outcomes uncertain.
US President Donald Trump, speaking before boarding Air Force One, expressed guarded confidence in the US negotiating team but avoided predicting results. He said the delegation led by Vice President JD Vance, along with senior aides, would engage in talks without pre-set conclusions, adding that progress would be assessed during the discussions.
Trump also linked the negotiations to broader strategic issues, including regional maritime routes, stating that the Strait of Hormuz would “open up,” while stressing that several countries, rather than the US alone, would be involved in ensuring stability. He dismissed the need for contingency planning, insisting diplomacy would proceed without a “backup plan.”
Vice President JD Vance adopted a more traditional diplomatic tone, expressing optimism about the talks while warning against any attempts by Tehran to manipulate the process, underscoring ongoing mistrust between the two sides.
Pakistan, hosting the talks, described its role as a facilitator rather than a mediator shaping outcomes. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh said extensive diplomatic efforts by multiple regional actors, including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, had helped bring the process to this stage.
He said the success of the talks would depend on a constructive atmosphere and whether both sides adhered to understandings reached in preliminary discussions. He stressed that Pakistan’s responsibility was to bring parties together, not dictate terms, while noting that the process would ultimately depend on the negotiating sides themselves.
He added that Pakistan had received widespread international support for its diplomatic efforts, reflecting global interest in preventing further escalation.
Despite the momentum toward dialogue, officials cautioned that the outcome remains uncertain, with the coming discussions expected to determine whether the diplomatic opening can be sustained or collapse under unresolved mistrust between Washington and Tehran.
Originally Published By: The Dawn
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