Uncertainty hung over Islamabad on Monday as the world waited to see whether the United States and Iran would hold a second round of direct negotiations. While President Trump confirmed an American delegation was headed to Pakistan — at one point saying Vice President JD Vance was en route — US news outlets reported Vance had not yet departed.
Tehran sent mixed signals. Iran’s parliament speaker highlighted a fundamental lack of trust in Washington, and officials said Iran had yet to decide whether it would even attend. Islamabad, for its part, sealed the Red Zone, suspended public transport in the twin cities, and deployed heavy security in anticipation of the foreign delegations.
The stakes are enormous. Tensions between Washington and Tehran have been intensifying, with a separate report noting the US seizure of an Iranian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz — raising further questions about the fate of the ship and its crew.
