Vance heads to Pakistan ahead of negotiations for permanent deal with Iran

The scale of the humanitarian catastrophe in Lebanon has been laid bare by the health ministry’s latest figures. At least 1,953 people have been killed in just over five weeks, including 130 children and 57 paramedics. Wednesday alone was recorded as the deadliest day of the conflict, with 357 lives lost in strikes across Beirut and beyond.

With over 6,300 wounded and more than a million people forced to flee their homes, the pressure on the Islamabad negotiations to deliver a total regional ceasefire has never been higher. These aren’t just numbers; they are a grim reminder of what’s at stake if the Vance-led talks don’t succeed.

In a high-level phone call today, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reached out to PM Shehbaz Sharif to laud Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts. Starmer praised the decision to host the U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad, calling it a crucial step toward regional stability.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, both leaders agreed that maintaining the current ceasefire is the top priority. This global backing from London adds significant weight to Islamabad’s position as the neutral ground for what could be the most important negotiations of the year.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has escalated his pressure on Israel, calling for the European Union to suspend its association agreement over alleged violations of international law in Lebanon and Gaza. Speaking at the European Pulse Forum in Barcelona, Sánchez warned, “Let us not allow a new Gaza in Lebanon.”

The move follows Israel’s decision to expel Spain from a U.S.-led humanitarian group managing Gaza aid. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar defended the expulsion, citing Spain’s “obsessive anti-Israel bias.” As JD Vance flies toward Islamabad, this growing rift in Europe adds a new layer of complexity to the global efforts for a ceasefire.

President Trump isn’t holding back on Truth Social as JD Vance flies toward Islamabad. Trump claimed today that Tehran is essentially out of options, using the Strait of Hormuz as “short-term extortion” against the world. “The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!” the President posted, signaling a high-pressure stance for the weekend talks.



The urgency for a deal is underscored by new economic data: U.S. inflation jumped to 3.3% in March, driven by the largest monthly spike in gas prices in sixty years. With 20% of global oil tied up in the Hormuz blockade, the economic heat is on both Washington and Tehran to find a way out.

Tensions are boiling over just hours before the Islamabad summit. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called on Washington to “adhere to its commitments” and stop Israeli attacks on Lebanon. This comes at a complicated time, as Lebanon has recently declared Iran’s ambassador persona non grata, ordering his departure.

On the other side, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his cabinet to begin direct talks with Lebanon—but with a major catch: he insists a ceasefire is not on the table yet. As Israeli jets continue to strike southern Lebanon, the link between the Beirut conflict and the Islamabad peace talks has become the biggest hurdle for JD Vance’s delegation.

Just as everyone expected a smooth start, Iran has thrown a curveball. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf took to social media to demand the release of Iran’s blocked assets and a full ceasefire in Lebanon before any negotiations begin in Islamabad.

“These two matters must be fulfilled,” Qalibaf insisted. With Tehran still silent on who will actually lead their delegation tomorrow, these fresh demands are casting a shadow over the summit’s success.

Two of the measures mutually agreed upon between the parties have yet to be implemented: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s blocked assets prior to the commencement of negotiations.

These two matters must be fulfilled before negotiations begin.

— محمدباقر قالیbاف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 10, 2026

As dusk falls over the capital, Islamabad has entered a state of total security saturation. Commandos and police have heavily barricaded all routes from the airport to the city center. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has personally reviewed the protocols, confirming that the city’s Red Zone will be completely sealed off tomorrow.

Security personnel stand guard near the expected venue of the US-Iran talks in the Red Zone area of Islamabad on April 10. (AFP)

Both the U.S. and Iranian delegations are expected to meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during their stay, with all negotiations centralized at a high-security hotel. For now, the capital is waiting in silence for the arrival of the world’s most watched diplomats.

Violence in Lebanon has reached a critical point today. An Israeli airstrike targeted the southern town of Nabatieh, hitting near a government building and killing at least 13 State Security officers.

While Israel claims it has struck over 120 Hezbollah sites in the last 24 hours, the militant group has also resumed its own attacks. This fresh wave of bloodletting comes at the worst possible time, just as negotiators prepare to sit down in Islamabad to save the collapsing truce.

Boarding Air Force Two, Vice President JD Vance shared a rare moment of optimism, stating he believes the upcoming negotiations could be “positive.” Following President Trump’s lead, Vance signaled that the U.S. is ready to extend an open hand if Iran acts in good faith.

However, the Vice President remained firm: “If they’re gonna try and play us, they’re gonna find that the negotiating team is not that receptive.” While Vance kept Trump’s specific “guidelines” for the meeting under wraps, he made it clear that the U.S. is entering these talks with very clear boundaries.

Vice President JD Vance isn’t pulling any punches as he boards his flight to Pakistan. Just before departing for the Islamabad summit, Vance warned Tehran not to “play” the United States, underscoring the immense pressure on these talks.

President Trump has tasked Vance—perhaps the most vocal skeptic of foreign wars in his inner circle—with finding an exit strategy for a conflict that began six weeks ago. With the current ceasefire crumbling and Trump’s previous threats looming large, Vance is heading into what might be the most difficult negotiation of his career.

For the first time, we are getting a glimpse into the human cost of the conflict within Iran. Abbas Masjedi, head of Iran’s Legal Medicine Organization, has stated that over 3,000 people have been killed in what he termed “enemy attacks.”

While the official didn’t specify how many were civilians versus military personnel, this remains the most significant admission of casualties from Tehran since the war began weeks ago. The news adds even more weight to the upcoming peace talks in Islamabad.

An eerie silence has taken over Islamabad today. The city is essentially under a total lockdown, with major roads empty and heavy security checkpoints at every corner. A two-day public holiday has been declared to keep residents home while additional troops and police secure the capital.

With JD Vance set to depart for Pakistan today and the Iranian delegation expected shortly, the stakes couldn’t be higher. All eyes are on the Serena Hotel, where talks are scheduled to officially kick off tomorrow, Saturday.

The financial world is watching Pakistan very closely. Asian markets, including the Nikkei and Kospi, saw decent gains Friday morning as traders pin their hopes on the upcoming Vance-led talks.

Oil prices are also creeping up, with Brent crude hitting $96.92. Even with a ceasefire on the table, experts at Barclays warn that the days of cheap oil are gone for now. As they put it: “A ceasefire is not a refund”—the damage to the global energy market won’t be fixed overnight, even if the shooting stops.

In a move showing just how massive the next few days will be, Pakistan has announced it will issue visas on arrival for everyone traveling for the U.S.-Iran talks. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that airlines have been asked to let delegates and journalists board without pre-arranged visas. It’s a clear signal that the world’s media is descending on Islamabad to catch every second of the Vance-led negotiations.

Pakistan welcomes all delegates including journalists from participating nations, traveling in relation to Islamabad Talks 2026. To this end, all airlines are requested to permit boarding to all such individuals without Visa. Immigration authorities in Pakistan will issue them… pic.twitter.com/mvWJyv2P4s

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) April 10, 2026