What’s happening?
- • VP JD Vance and Iran’s Qalibaf arrive in Islamabad for high-level talks
- • Tehran sets new conditions for peace as Strait of Hormuz remains blocked
- • Netanyahu approves direct talks with Lebanon amid intensifying border strikes
- • US inflation hits four-year high as oil prices fluctuate ahead of negotiations
- • Lebanon’s death toll surpasses 1,900 following heaviest Israeli bombardment
In a significant military move, the Saudi Defense Ministry confirmed on Saturday that Pakistani forces, including fighter jets and support aircraft, have arrived at King Abdulaziz Air Base.
The deployment is part of a strategic defense agreement signed in September, which stipulates that an attack on one nation is considered an attack on both. The airbase has previously been a target for drone and missile strikes during the conflict with Iran.
According to Saudi officials, the move is intended to “enhance joint military coordination” and bolster regional security. This deployment occurs even as Islamabad hosts high-level peace negotiations between U.S. and Iranian delegations.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance held a high-level meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday to discuss the framework of the peace negotiations with Iran. Vance was joined by a high-powered delegation, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to acting as a neutral facilitator, expressing hope that the dialogue would lead to “sustainable peace” in the region. The White House and the Prime Minister’s Office both confirmed the session as a key precursor to the direct U.S.-Iran engagement.
As the Islamabad Talks commenced today, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with His Excellency JD Vance, Vice President of the United States of America.
— Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (@MoIB_Official) April 11, 2026
The U.S. Vice President was assisted by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Mr. Jared Kushner.… pic.twitter.com/WtcP4L7Yfg
This diplomatic push comes at a critical time as international mediators look to Pakistan to help bridge the divide between Washington and Tehran.
Indonesia has formally welcomed the “encouraging” start to negotiations in Pakistan, calling on both the United States and Iran to prioritize a long-term diplomatic resolution to their ongoing conflict.
Speaking to Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vahd Nabyl described the talks as a positive step that “creates space for diplomacy.” He emphasized that Jakarta views this development as a critical opportunity to consolidate de-escalation across the region.
Indonesia further urged all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint while respecting international sovereignty and territorial integrity to ensure the success of the peace process.
A group of high-level officials from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, China, and Qatar have arrived in the Pakistani capital to act as indirect facilitators for the high-stakes negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.
While the talks are primarily focused on direct engagement, these third-country mediators are expected to bridge diplomatic gaps and provide a neutral channel for communication. Regional officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the presence of these global powers is aimed at ensuring the stability of the fragile peace process.
The involvement of such a diverse group of mediators highlights the global importance of the “Islamabad Talks” in preventing further escalation in the Middle East.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed significant skepticism as the delegation enters talks with the U.S., citing “deep distrust” rooted in previous military strikes sustained during past nuclear negotiations.
In a statement posted via Telegram, Araghchi’s office warned that Iran remains prepared to retaliate if its sovereignty is compromised. He further demanded an immediate cessation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon, framing it as a critical factor for regional stability.
The remarks underscore the fragile nature of the Islamabad summit, where historical grievances continue to shadow the diplomatic agenda.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has officially landed in Islamabad to lead the American delegation in high-stakes negotiations with Iran. The talks aim to broker a definitive deal to end the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the arrival, marking the start of one of the most significant diplomatic efforts in recent Middle Eastern history.
Arrival of the US Delegation for Islamabad Talks pic.twitter.com/Hai19EZm4I
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 11, 2026
Security in the capital has been heightened as both U.S. and Iranian leadership are now on the ground for the “Islamabad Talks.”
The Iranian negotiating team is scheduled to hold a high-level meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at noon Saturday, according to the Tasnim news agency. The meeting is seen as a final consultative step before direct engagements with U.S. officials begin.
Led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the delegation has already initiated diplomatic groundwork in the capital. Late Friday, the team held a significant session with Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, highlighting the security and strategic dimensions of the “Islamabad Talks.”
These back-to-back meetings are part of a broader diplomatic effort to secure a permanent ceasefire and end the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Pakistan’s government has launched a high-tech media facilitation center at the Jinnah Convention Center to support local and international journalists covering the upcoming diplomatic summit between the United States and Iran.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that the facility provides high-speed internet, dedicated workstations, and broadcast areas for live stand-ups. To ensure seamless coverage, the government has also announced visa-on-arrival for media delegations and official representatives traveling from the U.S. and Iran.
Media Facilitation Center established at Jinnah Convention Center by @MoIB_Official for Foreign Journalists coming to cover #IslamabadTalks
— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) April 11, 2026
All arrangements in place to facilities foreign and local journalists in the best way possible
We will be looking after them well
🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/INkzlKu417
Shuttle services will operate between the convention center and major city hubs to assist the influx of foreign press arriving in the capital.