Islamabad

Pakistan hopeful for US-Iran talks despite Strait of Hormuz ship seizures

“The ceasefire has opened a space that Pakistan thinks is enough for the diplomatic path to resume,” a former Pakistani ambassador briefed on the matter told the NYT.

Hoardings displaying flags of the US, Pakistan and Iran, as Pakistan prepares to host the U.S. and Iran for the second phase of peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 18, 2026.
A general view of the Treasury Building on day two of a partial government shutdown in Washington, DC, US, February 1, 2026.

United States Treasury Department imposes fresh sanctions against suppliers of weapons to Iran

US President Donald Trump speaks after signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on April 18, 2026.

Trump says he does not want to extend ceasefire with Iran, will get 'great deal'

Pakistani army soldiers patrol at D Chowk near the President's House, as Pakistan prepares to host the US and Iran for the second phase of peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 21, 2026.

Initial Iranian, US delegations land in Islamabad for talks, but Tehran denies travel - report


Pakistan gambles on Iran-US talks and comes up short - analysis

This shows the country is seeking to take the reins of regional responsibility after many years in which Pakistan seemed consumed by domestic troubles.

A man rides his motorbike past a billboard installed alongside a road as Pakistan prepares to host the US and Iran for peace talks, in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 10, 2026.

Pakistan Defense Minister deletes anti-Israel post from X after diplomatic backlash

Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif briefly posted a message on X accusing Israel of carrying out “genocide” and using language Israeli officials condemned as inflammatory and offensive.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif speaks during an interview with Reuters in Islamabad, Pakistan, October 20, 2025.

US to demand freeing of American detainees in Iran as part of Islamabad negotiations - report

The Washington Post reported that it's not clear the grade of importance that the delegation, led by US Vice President JD Vance, will place on this demand.

US VICE President JD Vance speaks to the media before boarding Air Force Two to return to Washington, DC, after the White House announced he would be leading the US delegation in upcoming peace talks with Iran, from Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport in Budapest, Hungary, April 8, 202

Trump: Iranians only alive to negotiate, have no cards but 'short-term extortion' with Hormuz

"The Iranians don’t seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short-term extortion of the world by using international waterways," Trump posted on Truth Social.

US President Donald Trump gives a press conference in the White House, April 6, 2026.

Pakistan tightens security in Islamabad ahead of US-Iran negotiations

According to security sources, a US Air Force C-130 aircraft carrying an advance security and tactical team landed at Nur Khan Air Base on Thursday afternoon. 

Army soldiers sit in a truck, as Pakistan prepares to host the US and Iran for peace talks, in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 10, 2026.

Pakistan takes on role of peacemaker, but it comes with risks - analysis

As Pakistan steps forward as a peacemaker, it is joined by Turkey, Qatar, China, and other countries. It remains to be seen if Pakistan can build the trust needed for peace. 

A resident listens on a mobile phone to an address to the nation by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, in Islamabad on March 9, 2026.

Gas pipeline blown up in southern Pakistan by unknown assailants, says official

It suspended gas supply to several parts of the city and at least five more districts, the official said.

(Illustrative) sign indicating the location of the Millenium Pipeline buried under a cut in the forest, March 30, 2026.

Donald Trump claims Iran seeks deal, Abbas Araghchi rejects negotiations

The conflicting statements came as the economic and humanitarian toll of the war mounted, with fuel shortages spreading worldwide, sending companies and countries scrambling to contain the fallout.

US President Donald Trump gestures as he steps from Air Force One upon his arrival in West Palm Beach, Florida, US, March 20, 2026

Trump pitches shared US-Iran Strait of Hormuz control, claims regime change 'already happened'

Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf is leading the talks with the United States, a source told The Jerusalem Post.

This image shows the Strait of Hormuz, between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The Strait of Hormuz runs between Iran and United Arab Emirates, 2004.

Pakistan denies deadly Kabul hospital attack, says it struck Taliban military site

Conflicting accounts over a disputed airstrike leave questions about the target and reported civilian deaths unresolved.

A man stands on the debris at the site of a drug rehabilitation hospital destroyed in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 17, 2026.