Vice President JD Vance was in Pakistan on Saturday for high-level talks with government leaders in hopes of reaching a deal with Iran.
Pakistan, which has long played a strategic role in regional geopolitics, is seen as a critical partner in facilitating dialogue.
Vance was greeted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior military officials to discuss pathways toward de-escalation the ongoing conflict.
The vice president was joined by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who is Trump’s son-in-law.
An Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf separately met with Sharif, according to Sharif’s office and Iranian media. No direct U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad had been announced as of mid-afternoon.
Iran doubled down on parts of its earlier proposal, with its delegation telling Iranian state television it had presented some of the plan’s ideas as red lines in meetings with Sharif.
Earlier in the week, Vance said the U.S. will demand during its negotiations with Iran that the nation end its nuclear program. He told reporters the Trump administration will insist that Tehran hand over its ingredients for nuclear weapons.
Pakistani officials welcomed the visit, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties and contribute to diplomatic solutions.
The vice president’s visit is expected to include a series of meetings over the coming days, though no formal agreements have been announced.