US and Iran Begin High-Stakes Peace Talks in Islamabad Under Fragile Ceasefire

Apr 11, 2026

Iranian and US delegations meet in Islamabad for direct negotiations to end a six-week Middle East conflict, with Pakistan deploying over 10,000 security personnel and positioning itself as mediator through warm ties with all parties. China emerged as a critical guarantor whose intervention proved decisive in securing Iran's acceptance of the fragile two-week ceasefire, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi holding 26 calls during the conflict. Key disagreements remain over Lebanon's inclusion in the truce, which Pakistan and Iran support but Israel rejects, while Israel continues strikes targeting Hezbollah. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif requested a ceasefire extension with White House approval as Trump publicly warned Iran of severe consequences if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Pakistan's mediating role in US-Iran ceasefire talks

▪Pakistan has carved out a role as mediator in the US-Iran conflict by capitalizing on its warm ties with nearly all key players in the six-week war
▪Arun Singh, former Indian ambassador to the US, stated that Pakistan's role as intermediary in the Iran conflict reflected situational utility rather than structural shift in regional dynamics
▪Islamabad emerged as the venue for fresh US-Iran talks after a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire
▪Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif requested a two-week extension of the ceasefire deadline in a post on X tagging US President Trump and his advisers
▪US President Donald Trump sent Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner to meet Iranian officials in Islamabad on Saturday

China's behind-the-scenes influence as guarantor

▪China emerged as a quiet force shaping the outcome of the US-Iran ceasefire, playing a key role alongside the Trump administration in securing the fragile truce
▪Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held 26 calls with counterparts from relevant countries during the conflict
▪China maintains close relations with both Pakistan and Iran and has remained Tehran's largest trading partner despite years of US-led sanctions
▪Pakistani officials stated that China functioned as a guarantor, assuring Iranian officials they would not be targeted during future negotiations
▪Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked China for its support in the ceasefire negotiations
▪The White House stated that Beijing's role in the truce took place at the top levels of the US and Chinese governments

Fragility of the ceasefire and ongoing negotiations

▪The United States plans separate talks with Israeli and Lebanese officials in Washington
▪The White House reviewed and approved Shehbaz Sharif's message requesting a ceasefire extension before it was posted on X
▪Israel has continued strikes targeting Hezbollah despite the ceasefire
▪A key point of disagreement in the negotiations is Lebanon, which Pakistan and Iran want included in the truce but Israel has rejected
▪The US-Iran talks aim to end a six-week Middle East conflict

Perspective of United States

▪Donald Trump publicly warned Iran of severe consequences if it did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz

Perspective of Iran

▪Iranian officials credited a last-minute push by China with securing their acceptance of the ceasefire

Perspective of Pakistan

▪Pakistan deployed over 10,000 security personnel to secure the Islamabad peace negotiations
▪Shehbaz Sharif requested a two-week extension of the ceasefire deadline in coordination with the White House