US and Iran Begin Peace Talks in Islamabad After Ceasefire

The United States and Iran began direct peace negotiations in Islamabad on April 11, 2026, following a fragile two-week ceasefire brokered by the Government of Pakistan. The conflict, which began on February 28 after an Israeli airstrike killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had severely disrupted global energy markets and aviation routes.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir led the mediation efforts, utilizing backchannel parleys with US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The truce was reached shortly before a deadline set by President Donald Trump, who had threatened that a whole civilization would die unless Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz. While Trump claimed credit for the breakthrough, the deal followed a two-phase framework proposed by Islamabad.

The negotiations, hosted at the Serena Hotel under heavy security, involve a US delegation led by JD Vance and an Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqher Ghalibaf. Despite the ceasefire, the talks face severe strain due to ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Iran has conditioned a permanent deal on a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of frozen assets, while the US and Israel maintain the truce does not cover Lebanese territory.

Global reactions are mixed. China and Pakistan endorsed a five-point framework supporting the peace process, while Saudi Arabia reported intercepting Iranian missiles even after the ceasefire was announced. Aviation experts note that while the pause stabilizes flight routes, airfares remain elevated due to cumulative operational costs.