US, Iran begin direct talks in Islamabad, officials say

Senior US and Iranian officials met in Islamabad for rare talks, but sharp disagreements over key issues highlight fragile prospects for progress.

Senior officials from the United States and Iran held rare high-level talks in Islamabad on Saturday, marking the most significant direct engagement between the two countries in nearly half a century, according to Reuters.

The US delegation, led by JD Vance, met Iranian officials including Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. A Pakistani source said the meeting lasted about two hours before pausing, with senior Pakistani officials also present.

Early signs point to deep divisions, including conflicting claims over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. A US official said American vessels had passed through, while Iranian and Pakistani sources denied the claim.

US President Donald Trump said efforts were underway to clear the Strait of Hormuz, claiming Iranian mine-laying vessels had been destroyed, adding to competing narratives.

Meanwhile, an Iranian source said Washington had agreed to release frozen Iranian assets held abroad, including in Qatar, though a US official rejected the claim, highlighting ongoing disputes.

Iran signaled caution, saying it was negotiating while remaining fully aware of deep mistrust between the two sides. The talks follow mediation efforts by Pakistan and come amid ongoing tensions, including conflict in Lebanon and disruptions to global shipping routes.

The latest tensions follow weeks of escalation that disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route. Analysts say the outcome of the talks could shape regional stability and global energy markets, depending on whether both sides can overcome major differences.

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