Us-iran Talks in Islamabad Face Five Sticking Points
The us-iran talks in Islamabad are under way with Pakistan hosting both delegations and trying to project confidence as the stakes rise fast. The meeting is drawing attention because it sits at the intersection of Lebanon, shipping lanes, blocked assets and the wider risk of renewed confrontation. Vice President JD Vance has warned Iran not to try to play the US, while Iranian officials are pressing for concrete steps before negotiations move ahead.
Pakistan Pushes Ahead as the Room Fills
Pakistani government officials have presented the venue as ready and the security posture as firm, stressing that they enjoy the trust of both sides. A senior Iranian delegation has arrived in Islamabad, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, for talks with US officials. The us-iran meeting is being held against a backdrop of uncertainty over whether the two sides can even agree on the basic terms for discussion.
JD Vance said before leaving the US that Washington is willing to extend an open hand if the Iranians negotiate in good faith, but that any attempt to play the US would meet a far less receptive team. That warning has sharpened the sense that the opening phase of the us-iran talks may be as much about testing intent as finding common ground.
The First Major Sticking Point: Lebanon
The most immediate source of tension is Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, said the continuation of those actions would render negotiations meaningless, and added that Iran would never abandon its Lebanese sisters and brothers. On the other side, Benjamin Netanyahu has said there is no ceasefire when it comes to Hezbollah.
That issue matters because Tehran has linked the talks to a halt in the violence, while the US and Israeli positions remain far apart. The us-iran track is therefore starting with a dispute over whether Lebanon should be treated as a condition for talks or as separate from them.
Shipping, Assets and the Question of Timing
A second flashpoint is the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has been accused of restricting shipping and then moving to formalise new rules over the passage. Donald Trump said Iran is doing a very poor job of allowing ships through the strait, and said this is not the agreement we have. Very few vessels are passing through, with hundreds of ships and an estimated 20, 000 seafarers still trapped inside the Gulf.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said two measures agreed between the parties have yet to be implemented: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran’s blocked assets before negotiations begin. He said those matters must be fulfilled first. That makes the opening of the us-iran talks dependent on issues that are still unresolved outside the room.
What Happens If the Talks Stall
The atmosphere remains brittle because both sides have signaled readiness for escalation if the process fails. Trump said US forces were rearming and ready to return to the attack if negotiations failed, while later saying Iran had no cards other than short-term extortion of the world by using international waterways. At the same time, the US and Pakistan say the diplomatic channel remains open.
The immediate next step is whether the delegations stay engaged long enough to discuss the substance rather than the preconditions. If the us-iran talks can move past Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz, they may begin to address the wider package; if not, the standoff could harden quickly.
