According to Tasnim’s correspondent dispatched to Islamabad, while the discussions have entered the expert phase, a number of members of the specialized committees of the Iranian delegation have headed to the negotiation venue.
The negotiations between Iran and the United States have been underway for several minutes at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Tasnim’s correspondent also reported that contrary to some speculations raised yesterday, CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper is not part of the American negotiating delegation.
US Vice President JD Vance is in Islamabad alongside President Donald Trump's son-in-law and special adviser Jared Kushner and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff for talks with Iran.
Following the assassination of late Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and several military commanders on February 28, the US and Israel launched an extensive military offensive against Iran. In response, the Iranian Armed Forces carried out attacks on American and Israeli positions in the region and the occupied territories, showcasing their capability to retaliate effectively. Contrary to the aggressors' expectations of a quick victory, Iran's powerful counterattacks for 40 days inflicted significant damage on US and Israeli military assets.
In an effort to de-escalate the situation, Pakistani mediation led to a two-week ceasefire agreement on April 8 that allows for negotiations in Islamabad. Iran has laid out a ten-point plan for the talks, which includes demands for the withdrawal of US forces, the lifting of sanctions, and control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian government maintains a stance of distrust towards the US, asserting that the negotiations are not meant to resolve the conflict but rather to shift the battleground into the diplomatic arena.