The US Vice-President is set to travel to Pakistan for talks with Iran
US Vice-President J.D. Vance is due to travel to Islamabad on Tuesday for talks with Iran regarding a potential deal to end the war. This was reported by three sources in the US, according to Axios.
He is expected to arrive in Pakistan as the ceasefire deadline approaches. US President Donald Trump has stated that, in the absence of an agreement, a new campaign of bombing Iranian bridges and power stations could begin.
Reaching a comprehensive agreement within a short timeframe is difficult, but the US may agree to extend the deadline if there are signs of progress. Donald Trump had previously extended the deadline by one day. The previous two-week ceasefire expires on Tuesday, but he stated that the deadline would be moved to Wednesday evening.
Throughout Monday, the White House was awaiting a signal from Tehran regarding its readiness to send a negotiating team to Islamabad. According to one source, the Iranian side was delaying a decision amid pressure from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which insisted on a tougher stance and a refusal to negotiate unless the US blockade was lifted.
Mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey urged Iran to take part in the meeting. According to the source, the Iranian delegation was awaiting authorisation from the Supreme Leader, which was received on Monday evening.
Two interlocutors reported that J.D. Vance would depart on Tuesday morning, whilst another source did not rule out a late-night departure on Monday.
Donald Trump’s special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are also expected to arrive in Islamabad to take part in the talks.
