The White House has confirmed that US Vice President JD Vance will lead the US delegation for upcoming talks with Iran in Islamabad, reversing earlier remarks by President Donald Trump that indicated Vance would not travel for security reasons.
Trump initially said he was sending negotiators to Pakistan to engage with Tehran as the current ceasefire nears expiration, but later told ABC News that Vance would not be attending. However, a White House official later clarified to AFP that Vance would indeed be part of the delegation.
He will be joined by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who all participated in the previous round of talks held on 11-12. April.
The aim of the talks is to avert escalation
The talks come at a critical time, with a fragile truce between the US and Iran set to expire on Wednesday. An earlier round of talks in Islamabad ended without a breakthrough, raising the stakes for the upcoming discussions.
Trump threatens Iran again
Tensions escalated sharply after Trump accused Iran of “total violation” of the ceasefire, referring to the weekend’s attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a strongly worded post on Truth Social, Trump warned that if Iran rejects what he called a “reasonable deal,” the United States could target critical infrastructure, including power plants and bridges.
The remarks underscore the high-pressure environment surrounding the talks, with Washington signaling both diplomatic contact and the possibility of military escalation.
Tensions are rising in the Strait of Hormuz
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains volatile, with Iran reportedly declaring the waterway closed again after briefly indicating it would reopen. The strategic route is vital to global oil supplies and the disruption has sparked international concern.
Britain’s Maritime Safety Agency said Iran’s Revolutionary Guards fired on the tanker while another vessel was damaged by an unidentified projectile. In addition, security intelligence firm Vanguard Tech reported that a cruise ship in the Persian Gulf was compromised during the escalation.
These incidents highlight the risks to merchant shipping and the wider implications for global energy markets.
The truce date is approaching
With the ceasefire set to expire in the coming days, the upcoming talks in Islamabad are seen as a crucial opportunity to prevent further escalation.
