Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Direct, face-to-face talks between senior American and Iranian officials have taken place in Islamabad, according to a Pakistani source cited by Reuters, marking a potentially significant shift in diplomatic engagement between the two sides.
The discussions reportedly brought together U.S. officials Steve Witkoff, J.D. Vance, and Jared Kushner with Iranian counterparts Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Abbas Araghchi. Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, was also present during the meeting, underscoring Islamabad’s role as a facilitator in the dialogue.
The reported talks appear to contradict earlier indications that no direct negotiations were underway between Washington and Tehran. Prior reporting by Axios suggested that communication between the two countries had been limited to indirect exchanges through intermediaries, with no clear signs of face-to-face engagement.
However, U.S. officials have now confirmed that discussions in Islamabad have indeed begun. Two American officials told CBS News that the talks are underway, though they declined to clarify when exactly they started or whether all interactions have been conducted directly between the parties.
The lack of clarity surrounding the format and timing of the discussions reflects the sensitive nature of the negotiations, which come amid ongoing regional tensions and diplomatic uncertainty. If confirmed as sustained direct engagement, the Islamabad meeting could signal a tentative opening toward broader negotiations between the United States and Iran after a prolonged period of indirect contact.
