Top US and Iranian officials have gathered in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, to hold high-stakes talks that seek to end the war in the Middle East that has killed thousands, plunged energy supplies, and hurt the global economy. While the US delegation is led by Vice President JD Vance, the Iranian side is led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Both sides arrived for the talks with blueprints for peace - while Iran has a 10-point proposal which Donald Trump had said would be "workable", the US had its own 15-point framework.
What's on the agenda?
Iran had insisted that the formal peace talks could only begin after Washington gives a commitment on a ceasefire in Lebanon and lifting sanctions on Tehran. The Lebanon ceasefire demand has a point of contention.
Iran wants the US to unblock Iranian assets and end sanctions that have crippled its economy for years. Washington has indicated that it is open to significant sanctions relief but only in exchange for concessions from Iran on its nuclear and missile programmes.
Behind Islamabad Talks: Why JD Vance Was Chosen To Negotiate With Iran
Iran wants acknowledgment of its authority over the Strait of Hormuz, where it aims to collect transit fees and control access in what would amount to a huge shift in regional power. The US wants it opened for oil tankers and other traffic without any limitations, including tolls.
Iran is expected to demand compensation for all damage during the six-week war. The US has not yet commented on this.
Iran wants to be allowed to enrich uranium, which Washington has ruled out and President Donald Trump has insisted is non-negotiable.
Israel and the US both want Iran's missile capabilities to be dramatically curtailed. Tehran has said its formidable missile arsenal is non-negotiable.
Iran wants the withdrawal of US combat forces from the region, cessation of war on all fronts and a commitment to non-aggression. Trump has vowed to retain military assets in the Middle East until a peace deal is reached and warned of a major escalation in fighting if it fails to comply.
US-Iran peace talks
JD Vance, accompanied by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, arrived in Islamabad on Saturday morning. Their US Air Force's Boeing C-32A plane was escorted by Pakistani F-16 fighter jets before it landed at Nur Khan airbase near Islamabad.
The high-level Iranian delegation was received in Islamabad by Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Army Chief Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi. The delegation was "accompanied" by blood-soaked school bags, shoes, white flowers, and pictures of the Minab victims on their flight.
Sharing a picture on social media, Ghalibaf wrote: "My companions on this flight #Minab168".
The Iranian and American delegations are holding separate meetings with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before the commencement of any potential peace negotiations.
Vance is expected to hold talks with an Iranian delegation later today - a historic moment marking the highest-level face-to-face talks between the US and Iran.
(With inputs from Reuters)
