Islamabad — Vice President JD Vance arrived in Islamabad after a long flight to lead U.S.-Iran peace talks on the fifth day of a temporary ceasefire in a conflict entering its sixth week. He was met at PAF Air Base Nur Khan by senior Pakistani officials, including field marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Pakistan has deployed heavy security around the hotel hosting the negotiations and labeled the effort “The Islamabad Talks” on city billboards.
A high-level Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also reached the capital. Ghalibaf said Iran came with “good intentions but we do not trust,” reiterating Tehran’s preconditions: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the unfreezing of Iranian assets before talks move forward. Iran’s delegation insisted those steps be implemented first; the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps denied carrying out any launches during ceasefire hours and suggested any unreported attacks were likely the work of Israel or the United States.
The temporary truce has lowered but not ended regional violence. Kuwait accused Iran and its proxies of drone attacks during the ceasefire; Iran denied the allegation. Hezbollah continued strikes on Israel, saying it carried out dozens of attacks, while Israel said it is still fighting in Lebanon “with great intensity.” Israel’s military reported that strikes two days earlier killed more than 180 Hezbollah fighters, and Lebanon’s health ministry said civilian deaths and the number of wounded from recent Israeli strikes continue to rise.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains far below normal despite the truce. MarineTraffic data showed only about a dozen ships transited the strait in the first two days after the ceasefire began — a small fraction of the roughly 129 vessels that typically passed daily in February. The White House’s National Economic Council director said shipping was proceeding at roughly 10% of normal pace. Reports that Iran might charge a toll for passage under any long-term deal have raised concerns about new economic and geopolitical risks to global energy markets.
The war and disruptions at key chokepoints have helped push energy prices higher and added to broader economic strains. Brent crude has swung widely since the fighting began, and U.S. inflation rose in March to a 3.3% annual rate, in part reflecting the global energy shock. Markets wavered ahead of the Islamabad talks: the S&P 500 dipped modestly while oil prices held steady. The White House sought to reassure investors that reopening the strait would ease upward pressure on prices.
Washington has also signaled a readiness to use force if diplomacy fails. President Trump posted on social media that U.S. warships are being “reloaded with the best ammunition” and warned Iran that military options remain on the table if talks collapse. The administration said it would restock naval munitions to maintain the ability to strike if necessary.
Diplomatic initiatives are unfolding beyond Islamabad. Lebanon’s presidency said representatives from Lebanon and Israel will meet in Washington next week to discuss declaring a ceasefire and starting negotiations — a rare three-way, U.S.-facilitated effort to address the Lebanon front. South Korea plans to send a special envoy to Iran to press for the prompt, safe resumption of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz; about 70% of South Korea’s crude imports transit that route. Pakistan and France have raised concerns about “serious ceasefire violations” in Lebanon.
Other regional developments include TotalEnergies saying a major Saudi refinery was taken offline after damage from recent attacks, and Saudi officials reporting damage to an east-west pipeline that routes oil to the Red Sea. Ukraine’s president said Ukrainian forces helped shoot down Iranian-designed Shahed drones in several Middle Eastern countries before the ceasefire, calling it part of broader air-defense cooperation.
Reactions at home and abroad varied. Former Vice President Kamala Harris called the conflict a “war of choice.” Pope Leo XIV condemned the violence, saying “God does not bless any conflict.” U.S. political leaders and commentators continued to debate strategy. In the U.S. heartland, an Iowa farmer told CBS News diesel costs for farm equipment have more than doubled since December, underscoring local impacts of rising energy prices.
Iran’s internet blackout persisted: digital monitor Netblocks reported that restrictions on global internet access in Iran have lasted more than 1,000 hours, though a domestic intranet continues to support local services. Officials on all sides have used social media to communicate positions and advance claims throughout the crisis.
As talks begin in Islamabad, delegations face substantial obstacles: deep trust deficits, competing preconditions, and ongoing hostilities in Lebanon and elsewhere that could derail negotiations. Pakistan is pressing to mediate a diplomatic pathway while the U.S. seeks concrete steps to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and reduce economic disruption. Observers say any success will depend on whether Tehran accepts preconditions and whether the ceasefire can hold long enough to be turned into enforceable arrangements.