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US Vice President JD Vance issued a warning to Iran on Friday, cautioning against attempting to “play” Washington as he prepared to depart for discussions in Islamabad aimed at turning a fragile ceasefire into a durable peace agreement.
Despite the temporary truce established between the conflicting nations, significant disagreements persist regarding the next steps, with both sides accusing each other of inadequate implementation of the current agreement.
“If Iran is sincere in its willingness to negotiate in good faith, we are open to extending an olive branch,” Vance told reporters prior to departing from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
However, he added, “If they try to deceive us, our negotiating team is not likely to be receptive.”
Since the ceasefire came into effect, President Donald Trump has expressed concern over Iran’s management of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which was supposed to reopen, and Tehran has retaliated sharply against Israeli assaults in Lebanon, asserting that these actions also fall within the scope of the agreement.
Officials indicate that the upcoming talks in Islamabad will tackle several sensitive issues, including Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities and the uninterrupted flow of trade through the Strait.
Late Friday, access to the Serena Hotel—the expected meeting venue—was heavily blocked off with security personnel, and banners along the highway announced the “Islamabad Talks.”
Iran has indicated that its participation could depend on a halt to Israeli strikes on Lebanon, stating, “The talks to end the conflict rely on the US fulfilling its ceasefire obligations across all fronts, especially in Lebanon,” according to Esmaeil Baqaei, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson.
Iranian officials have claimed that Israeli airstrikes have rendered the talks in Pakistan “meaningless,” but the influential Revolutionary Guards have assured that they remain committed to the ceasefire and have not launched any attacks on other countries, as reported by state media.
On Thursday, Trump accused Iran on social media of poorly facilitating oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz and violating the ceasefire terms, intensifying concerns about the fragile truce.
Leading the US delegation alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, Vance expressed optimism about the negotiations, stating, “We’re aiming for a constructive discussion.”
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