However, the two countries went to war for nearly five weeks after the joint US-Israeli attack on Tehran on February 28. After suffering heavy losses, the two countries returned to the negotiating table.
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Peace talks between the US and Iran have begun under the mediation of Pakistan. The trilateral talks have begun in Islamabad, Pakistan's state-run media outlet PTV reported. Al Jazeera and the BBC have confirmed this through Pakistani government sources.
According to Al Jazeera, this is the first direct talks between the US and Iran since the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979. Al Jazeera reported that representatives of the two countries are sitting in the same room and discussing under the mediation of Pakistan.
Earlier, a series of indirect talks were held between the two countries under the mediation of Oman in February. The last indirect talks were held in Geneva on February 27.
However, the US-Israeli joint attack on Tehran on February 28 led to a war between the two countries that lasted for about five weeks. After heavy losses, both countries returned to the negotiating table.
The US delegation is being led by US Vice President JD Vance. The delegation also includes US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and US envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.
The Iranian delegation is led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other high-ranking officials are part of the delegation. Experts from both countries are also participating in the delegations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had held separate meetings with the delegations of the United States and Iran before the talks. “Appreciating Iran's engagement in the talks, Prime Minister Sharif expressed Pakistan's commitment to playing its role as a mediator for regional and global peace and stability,” a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence (CDF) and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi attended the meeting from Pakistan. In a video released by the Pakistani Prime Minister's Office, Sharif is seen hugging Ghalibaf and Araghchi.
Earlier, a US delegation including Vice President Vance arrived in Islamabad at 10:30 Pakistan time. He was welcomed by Dar, Naqvi and Munir at the Noor Khan Air Base.
Prime Minister Sharif then met him. Immediately after Vance's arrival, the Pakistani Foreign Office issued a statement praising the US commitment to achieving regional and global peace and stability.
As of Friday, Iran had taken a stand that it would not join the talks until the Israeli attacks on Lebanon stopped. This had created a crisis in the negotiation process. But on Friday, Lebanon and Israel agreed to hold direct talks in Washington next week. This played a major role in creating the atmosphere for direct US-Iran talks.
US is starting to remove the blockade of Hormuz: Trump
US President Donald Trump has said that the blockade of Hormuz has begun. He repeated his old claim that Iran's navy, air force and air defense systems have been destroyed.
'The only challenge they pose is underwater bombs. We are opening the Strait of Hormuz to the whole world. China, Japan, South Korea, Germany, France and many more countries. Strangely enough, they do not have the will or the courage to do this for themselves,' Trump wrote on his own social media account, Truth.
