Islamabad Seen As Possible Venue For Direct US-Iran Talks Amid West Asia Conflict: Report

Last Updated:March 24, 2026, 07:02 IST

Senior US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, envoy Steve Witkoff and former advisor Jared Kushner, could travel to Islamabad for talks with Iranian representatives.

After US President Donald Trump announced a five-day halt to strikes on Iran after “productive" talks, Islamabad is emerging as a potential venue for direct talks between Washington and Tehran, as diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict gather pace.

According to news agency Reuters, Israeli and Pakistani officials are working behind the scenes to bring both sides to the table, with a possible meeting in Islamabad as early as this week. A senior Israeli official said “contacts are underway" to organise a meeting in Islamabad involving senior US and Iranian figures.

Sources cited by Reuters said senior US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, envoy Steve Witkoff and former advisor Jared Kushner, could travel to Islamabad for talks with Iranian representatives. Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt have been working behind the scenes to bring both sides to the table since the start of the war.

Additionally, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a phone call with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, offering Islamabad’s support for efforts aimed at restoring peace in the region. The two have been in contact several times over the past month, including exchanges during Ramadan and Eid, while also reiterating hopes for an end to the ongoing conflict. Pakistani army chief Asim Munir is also reported to have spoken with the Iranian President. According to the Financial Times, he also held talks with Trump.

Meanwhile, the White House has not confirmed any planned meeting, with spokesperson Karoline Leavitt cautioning that “these are sensitive diplomatic discussions" and that speculation should not be treated as final.

“These are sensitive diplomatic discussions and the US will not negotiate through the press. This is a fluid situation, and speculation about meetings should not be deemed as final until they are formally announced by the White House," she said.

US Claims ‘Productive Talks’, Iran Denies

The development came after Trump announced a temporary halt to strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure, citing “very strong talks" and “major points of agreement."

“We have had very, very strong talks… we have major points of agreement," Trump said, adding that a five-day pause in military action had been granted to allow diplomacy a chance. “If it goes well, we’re going to end up settling this. Otherwise, we’ll just keep bombing," he warned.

However, Iran has firmly denied that any direct negotiations with Washington have taken place. Iranian officials, including parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, dismissed claims of talks as “fake news" aimed at influencing global markets.

Despite the denial, a European official indicated that indirect communication has been ongoing, with Pakistan, Egypt and Gulf states relaying messages between the two sides.

Diplomatic activity has intensified in recent days, with officials from Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan engaging both Washington and Tehran. Backchannel talks have also reportedly involved Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Despite these efforts, tensions remain high. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have continued strikes on US and Israeli targets, while Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would press on with military operations, even as he acknowledged a potential opening for a negotiated outcome.

At the heart of the conflict lies the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of global energy supplies pass. Iran has effectively closed the passage, insisting it will not reopen it unless US and Israeli attacks cease.

(With inputs from agencies)

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