A US delegation commanded by JD Vance arrives in Pakistan for crucial cease-fire negotiations with Iran.

A US government plane carrying top officials touched down in Islamabad on Saturday afternoon, paving the way for important talks with Iran to put an end to a six-week conflict that has rocked the Middle East and the world economy. 

Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and adviser Jared Kushner, who are spearheading Washington's efforts at the negotiations, are among the delegation, according to Pakistani sources. The Iranian group had already arrived in Islamabad in the early hours of Saturday before the US team arrived. Iran's foreign ministry stated that its delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, is in the capital of Pakistan to negotiate a settlement with the US and Israel.

The US and Iranian teams are anticipated to first meet separately with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to News Agency. The major round of indirect negotiations is anticipated to start following these first diplomatic contacts. Pakistan reaffirmed its intention to "continue facilitating the parties towards reaching lasting and durable solution to the conflict" and expressed hope that the parties would interact constructively.

Iran hinted that the route to negotiations might not be simple even before official talks could start. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran's parliament, stated that without promises on Lebanon and the unblocking of Iranian assets, negotiations could not move forward. He stated that Washington had already consented to these conditions, and Tehran anticipates that those promises will be kept.

However, he also said that Iran is willing to make a deal if the United States presents what he called a "genuine agreement" and gives Iran its rights. Prior to the negotiations, US President Donald Trump took a tough stance, claiming on social media that Iran "has no cards" and accusing it of utilizing international waterways.

“The Iranians don't seem to realise they have no cards The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!” he wrote. Vice President JD Vance struck a more measured note, saying he expected a positive outcome but warning, “If they're going to try to play us, then they're going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive.” The size of the delegations reflects the scope of the discussions.

Iran's team consists of about 70 people, including media and support personnel as well as experts from the political, security, and economic domains. There is also a 100-person US advance team in Islamabad.Thousands of army soldiers and paramilitary members have been dispatched to the Pakistani capital, which is under an unprecedented lockdown. 

Talal Chaudhry, junior interior minister, stated, "We have implemented multi-layer security for zero disruption and full control."

The negotiations come after US and Israeli strikes on Iran were halted by a two-week ceasefire that was established earlier this week. Important flashpoints are still unsolved, though. 

Iran continues to obstruct international energy shipments by refusing to completely ease restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz. Concurrently, there has been ongoing combat between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, raising concerns about whether that front is covered by the ceasefire.

Thirteen members of Lebanon's state security forces were killed by Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon on Friday, while Hezbollah retaliated by firing rockets at northern Israel.Thousands of people have died around the region as a result of the conflict, which has also affected energy supply and put additional strain on the world economy.