Islamabad Talks Begin: US To Cooperate With Iran, Sanction Relief On Cards For Tehran | Exclusive

Last Updated:April 11, 2026, 19:38 IST

The Iranian delegation decided to begin talks with their US counterparts after meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.

Top officials from the United States and Iran have officially begun negotiations in Islamabad, with Pakistan acting as a mediator, to end the war in West Asia that has killed thousands of people and sent shockwaves through the global economy.

Sources told CNN-News18 that the US has agreed in principle with certain Iranian demands, including cooperation on resolving hostilities and unfreezing frozen Iranian assets in phases. In return, Iran will fully cooperate with the US through Pakistani channels.

The American delegation has assured Tehran that Israel will follow the ceasefire. Pakistani sources informed CNN-News18 that the negotiations will set the stage for phased US cooperation with Iran across multiple fronts, including sanctions relief.

This would come in return for Iran’s commitments, conveyed mainly through trusted Pakistani intermediaries to build confidence without full direct exposure. The US has demanded that Iran’s nuclear programme be completely dismantled and the Strait of Hormuz be reopened.

The Iranian delegation, led by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, decided to begin talks with their US counterparts, including Vice President JD Vance, White House envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. The negotiations lasted for 2 hours before the delegations broke for a rest.

Iran’s IRNA news agency said three-party talks with the US, Iran and Pakistan had begun after a reduction in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon and other preconditions being met.

News world Islamabad Talks Begin: US To Cooperate With Iran, Sanction Relief On Cards For Tehran | Exclusive

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