Vice President JD Vance Leads U.S. Peace Talks With Iran in Pakistan

Vice President JD Vance is leading the U.S. delegation in peace talks with Iran in Islamabad.

“United States Vice President JD Vance has warned Iran that it would be “dumb” to jeopardise its ceasefire with Washington over Israel’s attacks in Lebanon”

Al Jazeera

Vance warned Iran not to play the U.S., saying if they negotiate in good faith, we’re willing to extend the open hand.

Al Jazeera

The terms remain contested, especially over whether Lebanon is included.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted the ceasefire must cover Lebanon.

Israel and the U.S. said Lebanon was not part of the deal.

The two-week ceasefire came under strain almost immediately.

Israel continued its offensive in Lebanon, killing more than 300 people in two days.

Al-Sharq

Iran’s IRGC threatened that fighting would resume if Israel did not observe the ceasefire in Lebanon.

The Strait of Hormuz remained largely closed despite U.S. demands to reopen it.

Israel’s exclusion of Spain from the CMCC sparked diplomatic tensions.

The ceasefire and talks come amid growing political and economic pressure in the U.S.

Oil prices rose ahead of the talks, with Brent crude up 1.8% to $97.68 per barrel.

The U.S. intends to request the release of Americans detained in Iran.

Iran’s real deterrence comes from its ability to choke off 20% of the world’s oil and gas trade.

Vance faces the challenge of bringing together two countries that have been enemies for nearly 50 years.