Key Facts
• April 11: U.S. and Iran start face-to-face negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan.
• U.S. delegation led by Vice President Pence; Iran delegation led by Parliament Speaker Galibaf.
• Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif meets both delegations before talks, expressing optimism.
• Talks mediated by Pakistan, confirmed by White House officials.
• Iran demands uranium enrichment rights and continued control of the Strait of Hormuz.
• U.S. rejects Iran’s demands, signaling difficult negotiations ahead.
• April 11: President Trump posts on social media about starting to clear the Strait of Hormuz.
• Axios reports several U.S. naval vessels transited the Strait east to west, then returned to the Arabian Sea.
• Iranian state media denies U.S. naval transit, citing military sources.
• April 10: The New York Times reports some Iranian mines in the Strait are unaccounted for by Iran.
Summary
On April 11, face-to-face talks between the United States and Iran commenced in Islamabad, Pakistan, aiming to end ongoing hostilities. The U.S. delegation, led by Vice President Mike Pence, and the Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, engaged in negotiations mediated by Pakistan. Prior to the talks, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan met both sides, expressing hope for progress. Key issues include Iran’s insistence on uranium enrichment rights and control over the Strait of Hormuz, both firmly rejected by the U.S., indicating challenging discussions ahead. Concurrently, President Donald Trump announced via social media the start of operations to clear the Strait of Hormuz. Reports from Axios noted U.S. naval vessels transiting the Strait, though Iranian state media denied these movements. Additionally, The New York Times revealed that Iran has lost track of some naval mines it deployed in the Strait, adding complexity to the security situation. These developments highlight the fragile and tense environment surrounding the negotiations.
