The United States and Iran are scheduled to engage in negotiations this weekend in Islamabad, focusing on a wider range of issues, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi announced on Wednesday. These talks are expected to address not only nuclear concerns but also missile programs, Iran-aligned militias, and security assurances for Tehran.
Grossi emphasized that the upcoming discussions will be more comprehensive, stating, “This time, there will also be missiles, militias allied with the Islamic Republic, security guarantees for Iran on the table.” He expressed optimism that a temporary agreement might be reached, highlighting the importance of avoiding military solutions.
He elaborated on possible diplomatic alternatives, suggesting a solution could involve a temporary halt to uranium enrichment due to the current political and military climate, with the issue to be revisited in five to ten years. This approach aims to maintain stability while deferring a final resolution.
These developments come amid ongoing efforts to open diplomatic channels to end the nearly month-long conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, which began on February 28 and has impacted the wider Middle East region. Pakistan has played a pivotal role in these back-channel negotiations, working closely with Turkey and Egypt to facilitate communication between Washington and Tehran to prevent further escalation.
Notably, Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, held direct contact with US President Donald Trump on Sunday, a fact confirmed by the White House. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly declared Pakistan’s readiness to host talks between the US and Iran, a statement acknowledged by President Trump through a repost on his Truth Social platform.
Following this, Pakistan reportedly conveyed a US proposal to Iran, though details remain undisclosed. A senior Iranian source indicated that the proposal might be the 15-point US framework previously mentioned in media reports. Turkey is also involved in exploring options to end the conflict, with either Pakistan or Turkey being considered as potential venues for the negotiations.
In a significant development, Iran has rejected the US proposal, asserting its intention to conclude the ongoing “imposed war” on its own conditions and timeline. A senior political-security official described this response as consistent with Iran’s cautious stance, referencing two earlier negotiation rounds in spring and winter 2025 that coincided with US military actions.
Iran has outlined five conditions for ending the conflict: a complete cessation of “aggression and assassinations”; establishment of mechanisms to prevent the war’s recurrence; guaranteed reparations payments; resolution across all fronts and resistance groups; and international recognition of Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz.
