Historic direct negotiations between the United States and Iran came to a close Saturday evening in Pakistan’s capital, representing the most significant diplomatic engagement between the two nations in more than four decades.
Sources in Islamabad confirmed to The Media Line that both American and Iranian expert teams traded written proposals following their face-to-face discussions, which lasted approximately two hours during the initial session.
The trilateral negotiations, with Pakistan serving as an intermediary, mark the most substantial direct contact between Washington and Tehran since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Mohammad Gulzari, who speaks for Iran’s Information Council, stated that Iranian and American specialists exchanged written proposals on key issues while Pakistani mediators facilitated the process.
According to Iran’s official IRNA news agency, Gulzari explained that various Iranian committees conducted multiple sessions since Saturday morning, examining different positions and ensuring complete coordination before negotiations commenced.
Gulzari noted the discussions began following recent developments, including efforts to verify the end of attacks on Beirut, ongoing coordination with Iran’s Lebanese ambassador, warnings about ceasefire violations, and matters concerning Iran’s frozen assets.
Both negotiating teams initially met separately with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before engaging in direct discussions.
While no final deal has been announced, officials characterized the negotiations as serious and substantive.
However, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported Sunday evening that “following direct expert discussions, the American delegation has obstructed progress through its repeated unreasonable demands.”
The Tasnim report did not specify what these alleged “unreasonable demands” entailed, and Pakistani mediators have not issued comparable statements.
Discussions continue, though Iran maintains it will protect its military gains and insists Iranian national interests must be guaranteed. The Strait of Hormuz issue represents a major point of contention between both parties.
Pakistan is facilitating these negotiations, which seek to transform a precarious two-week ceasefire into a more permanent arrangement. The truce, established earlier this week following over a month of hostilities, has stopped active combat but remains fragile due to wider regional tensions, including Lebanese developments and Strait of Hormuz concerns.
These talks follow previous indirect communications conducted elsewhere. American officials have cautioned about possible escalation without an agreement while expressing measured hope. Iranian representatives have held firm positions, including requirements related to sanctions relief and security assurances.
