The streets of Islamabad were on strict lockdown as Pakistan’s capital prepared to play host to historic negotiations between Iran and the US that have dangled the promise of an end to war that has devastated the Middle East. The conflict, which began when Israel and the US attacked Iran in late February, has left thousands dead and caused global economic devastation. While Iran and Pakistan stated that the ceasefire included Lebanon, the US and Israel have since insisted that is a separate issue. Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has said that any peace negotiations would be “meaningless” if they took place as bombs continued to fall on Lebanon. Iranian officials said their delegation would include foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who were both part of the ceasefire negotiations.

Source: The Guardian April 10, 2026 15:00 UTC