Live updates: Vance arrives in Islamabad for ceasefire talks with Iran

Edited By  VERDA SUBZWARI and MENELAOS HADJICOTSIS, AP News, April 11: With the ceasefire in Iran still shaky, Iran’s state TV says that an Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf has arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, for talks with the United States. Vice President JD Vance will lead the high-level talks on behalf of the U.S. Ahead of peace talks, Iran has cited what appear to be new conditions.

Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are expected next week in Washington, according to a person familiar with the matter. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he had approved direct talks, while the Lebanese government has not yet responded. Attacks intensified Friday between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. At least 1,953 people in Lebanon have been killed by Israeli strikes, according to Lebanon’s heath ministry. At least 303 people were killed on Wednesday.

Stocks have wavered on Wall Street, and oil prices eased ahead of planned talks. The U.S. government reported the biggest spike in inflation in four years as prices at the gas pump jumped.

Tehran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, where ships carrying much of the world’s traded oil have bottlenecked, has proved a strategic advantage, but U.S. President Donald Trump said this was the nation’s only leverage.

US Vice President JD Vance at the head of delegation in Pakistan

The U.S. delegation includes President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner.

The Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, was already in Islamabad.

Before departing for Pakistan, Vance warned Iran not to “play” the U.S.

Hours later Qalibaf said discussions would only take place if there is an Israeli ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of blocked Iranian assets.

 Iran’s negotiators to meet with Pakistan’s premier ahead of talks with U.S.

By SAMY MAGDY, April 11: Tasnim news agency, which is close to the powerful Revolutionary Guard, reported that the Iranian delegation is scheduled to meet with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at noon Saturday.

Iran’s negotiating team, chaired by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and includes Foreign Minister Abbas Arghchi, met late Friday with Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir.

The meetings come ahead of high-stakes talks between Iran and the U.S. in Islamabad which aim at reaching a permanent end of the war in the Middle East.

Pakistan sets up state-of-art media center for talks

By MUNIR AHMED, April 11: Pakistan’s government has set up a state-of-the-art media center to facilitate Pakistani and foreign journalists covering the talks between the United States and Iran, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said.

Tarar told reporters the facility at the Jinnah Convention Center offers high-speed internet and a range of free services to support media coverage. Shuttle services have been arranged to transport journalists between the media center and a hotel in the city’s main shopping mall.

Pakistan has announced visa-on-arrival for journalists and official delegations traveling from the United States and Iran for the talks, which have been dubbed the “Islamabad talks.”

Inside the media center, rows of workstations equipped with laptops and charging points allow reporters to file stories. Large screens broadcast major domestic and international television channels. The facility also has designated areas for live stand-ups, press briefings and interviews.

Islamabad appears deserted before Iran war talks

By MUNIR AHMED, April 11: The streets of Pakistan’s normally bustling capital were deserted Saturday as security forces sealed roads ahead of talks between high-level officials from Iran and the U.S. to end their nearly six-week war.

Pakistani authorities urged Islamabad residents to stay inside, leading the city to look like it was under curfew.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is leading the American delegation, which was expected to arrive before noon.

Iranian negotiators, headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, arrived late Friday.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif the conflict was entering a “difficult phase” as the sides try to shift from a temporary pause in fighting to a more lasting settlement. He said they were at a “make-or-break” moment.