Pakistan’s Sharif calls US–Iran talks ‘proud moment for Muslim world’

Shehbaz Sharif calls US-Iran talks in Islamabad a proud moment, as deep divisions over Lebanon and nuclear issues threaten fragile negotiations.

Shehbaz Sharif said hosting talks between United States and Iran in Islamabad marks a “proud moment for the entire Muslim world,” as Pakistan takes a central role in efforts to ease regional tensions.

The negotiations come amid deep disagreements over Lebanon and Iran’s nuclear programme, raising fears that talks could stall even before substantive progress is made.

The U.S. delegation is led by JD Vance, who has expressed optimism about the outcome, while Iran’s team includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

The talks follow a major escalation in the region, including U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed senior leadership figures and triggered a broader conflict, disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and pushing global oil prices sharply higher.

Diplomatic arrangements highlight the sensitivity of the process, with both sides expected to remain in separate rooms at Islamabad’s Serena Hotel while Pakistani officials act as intermediaries.

A key dispute centers on Lebanon, with Iran insisting the ceasefire includes Israeli operations there, while the United States and Israel maintain it does not.

Israel’s latest strikes on Lebanon, which reportedly killed more than 200 people, have heightened tensions, prompting Tehran to warn it could withdraw from talks if attacks continue.

Pakistan recently brokered a two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, but the agreement is already under strain, exposing the fragility of the diplomatic process.

Analysts say the outcome of the Islamabad talks could shape the trajectory of the broader conflict, as overlapping crises continue to test international mediation efforts.

The coming days will be critical in determining whether diplomacy can hold, or whether renewed violence will once again overshadow attempts at de-escalation.

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