Islamabad Talks Enter Critical Technical Phase as Extension Looms
ISLAMABAD/TEHRAN: Diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Iran and the United States entered a more serious phase on Saturday as talks in Islamabad moved beyond broad political positions and into technical discussions on key issues, according to Tasnim News Agency.
According to reports from Tasnim News Agency’s correspondent in Islamabad, the negotiations, which began with general consultations and opening exchanges, have now advanced into detailed expert-level discussions in certain areas. Specialists from both delegations are said to be reviewing the finer points of several sensitive matters, signaling a deeper and more substantive stage in the dialogue.
Although the talks were originally planned as a one-day session, diplomatic sources suggest that there is a possibility of extending them by an additional day to allow experts more time to continue discussions. However, no formal confirmation has yet been issued.
The negotiations come against the backdrop of a sharp military escalation that began after the assassination of the late Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, and several senior military commanders on February 28. Following the killings, the United States and Israel reportedly launched a wide-ranging military offensive against Iran.
In response, Iran’s armed forces carried out retaliatory strikes on American and Israeli positions across the region and within the occupied territories. Iranian officials say these counterattacks, which continued for nearly 40 days, caused substantial damage to military assets and demonstrated the country’s ability to respond forcefully.
Seeking to prevent further escalation, Pakistan stepped in as a mediator, helping secure a two-week ceasefire agreement on April 8. The truce opened the door for the current negotiations in Islamabad.
Iran has reportedly entered the talks with a ten-point diplomatic plan, including demands related to the withdrawal of US forces, the lifting of sanctions, and authority over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Despite participating in the dialogue, Tehran continues to express deep mistrust of Washington, describing the negotiations not as a path to immediate peace, but as a shift of the conflict from the battlefield to the diplomatic table.
