U.S.-Iran Talks in Islamabad Shift to Indirect Draft Exchanges Amid Regional Impasse
Delegates exchange written drafts via Pakistani mediators as Iran ties diplomatic progress to a Lebanon ceasefire.
Negotiations between the United States and Iran in Islamabad entered a new phase on April 12, 2026, transitioning from direct trilateral sessions to indirect exchanges. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf held separate bilateral meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is acting as a mediator. Expert teams from both nations have exchanged written draft texts, with the U.S. proposing a 15-point plan focused on nuclear restrictions and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran is holding to a 10-point 'red line' proposal demanding sanctions relief and an end to Israeli strikes on its allies.
President Donald Trump described the current state of affairs as "very deep negotiations," though he maintained a hardline stance by claiming the U.S. has already "defeated them militarily." Despite the diplomatic movement, significant friction remains regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Iran continues to warn of a "decisive response" to any military transits in the waterway, while the Trump administration has accused Tehran of using the strait for "extortion" and vowed to reopen it.
The broader regional conflict continues to hamper a breakthrough. Iran has explicitly linked progress in Islamabad to a cessation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to continue targeting what he termed the "terror regime" in Tehran and its proxies, further complicating the mediation efforts led by Pakistan. A third session of talks is expected to continue in Islamabad as both sides review the newly exchanged drafts.
Key Points
- U.S. and Iranian delegations shifted to bilateral meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to exchange written draft proposals.
- President Trump characterized the Islamabad sessions as 'very deep negotiations' while asserting the U.S. holds maximum military leverage.
- Iran continues to condition diplomatic progress on a total ceasefire in Lebanon and the unfreezing of sanctioned assets.
- Disagreements persist over the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran rejecting 'excessive' U.S. demands for maritime reopening.
- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed to continue strikes against Iranian proxies, criticizing regional leaders for accommodating Tehran.