11.04.2026 09:30
Critical talks between the US and Iran are set to begin in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. Delegations from both sides have arrived in Pakistan. It has been suggested that US negotiators will specifically request the release of American prisoners from Iran during the planned meetings in Islamabad.
The US and Iranian delegations are in Islamabad, Pakistan, aiming to transform the ceasefire declared after 40 days of war into a lasting peace.
US DELEGATION ARRIVES IN ISLAMABAD
The US delegation is led by US Vice President JD Vance. The delegation also includes US Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.
US'S FIRST REQUEST FROM IRAN: "PRISONERS"
It has been suggested that US negotiators will request the release of American prisoners from Iran during the planned talks in Islamabad.
According to a report by the Washington Post based on sources close to the matter, officials from the Donald Trump administration will demand the release of Americans detained in Iran during the planned talks in Islamabad.
Sources noted that officials are still unsure how much pressure they will exert on this issue, while some officials indicated that there is a possibility of postponing this request if negotiations become difficult.
The report pointed out that there are 6 known Americans detained in Iran.
IRAN'S DELEGATION CONSISTS OF 4 MEMBERS
The Iranian delegation, led by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, has arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan.
According to Iranian state television, the delegation, which includes Qalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian, and Central Bank Governor Abdunnasır Himmeti, has reached Islamabad.
The report stated that if Iran's preconditions for starting negotiations are accepted, the delegation, which includes some members of parliament as well as security, political, military, economic, and legal committees, will begin talks.
TRUMP'S STATEMENT BEFORE NEGOTIATIONS
US President Donald Trump answered questions from reporters before boarding a plane as he left the capital, Washington.
Trump stated that the US delegation has flown to Pakistan and will negotiate with Iranian representatives, mentioning the first condition of a possible agreement: "There will be no nuclear weapons. You know, I think regime change has already happened, but we never set that as a criterion. Our only criterion was the absence of nuclear weapons. This clause constitutes 99% of the agreement."
Stating that "Iran's naval forces have been destroyed, air forces, all anti-aircraft systems, and leaders have been eliminated. The entire country has been destroyed," the US President indicated that they would not allow the Tehran administration to charge for passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump remarked, "We will not allow this because it is international waters. If they are doing this, nobody knows whether they are or not, but if they are, we will not allow it."
Trump said that the Strait of Hormuz would "automatically open" after a possible agreement, emphasizing that this is inevitable.
Trump stated, "The process will not be easy, but I can say that we will have opened that strait to traffic in a relatively short time."
In response to a question, President Trump indicated that they do not need a backup plan for negotiations with Iran, saying, "You don't need a backup plan. We already have a plan. The opposing side's army has been defeated, and their military power has been completely destroyed."
Trump expressed his belief that Iran would accept the conditions presented in the negotiations.