WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: Donald Trump has confirmed that American negotiators will arrive in Islamabad on Monday evening for a second round of talks with Iran, while issuing a stern warning to Tehran over potential consequences if a peace deal is rejected.
Pakistan Provides Air Escort to Iranian Delegation After Islamabad Talks
“My Representatives are going to Islamabad, Pakistan — they will be there tomorrow evening, for negotiations,” Trump said in a post, adding that Washington was offering a “fair and reasonable deal.”
The US president, however, accused Iran of violating the ceasefire by firing on vessels near the Strait of Hormuz and threatened severe retaliation. “If they don’t accept, the United States is going to knock out every single power plant and every single bridge in Iran,” he warned.
Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the composition of the US delegation. Some reports indicate that Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff will attend, while others suggest that Vice President JD Vance may lead the delegation, as he did during the initial round of talks.
Meanwhile, security has been heightened in Islamabad ahead of the negotiations, with authorities sealing off key areas in the federal capital. Advance teams from multiple countries have already arrived as preparations intensify for the high-stakes dialogue.
The talks follow weeks of conflict that began on February 28 after joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which escalated into wider regional tensions and disruptions in global energy routes.
Pakistan has played a central mediating role in the crisis, facilitating a temporary ceasefire and hosting the first round of negotiations. Despite no formal agreement emerging from earlier talks, both sides have indicated that diplomatic efforts remain ongoing.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said progress had been made but acknowledged that “many gaps and some fundamental points remain,” underscoring the challenges ahead in reaching a lasting settlement.
