US Delegation Arrives in Islamabad for Iran Talks

A US delegation has arrived in Islamabad ahead of the much-anticipated second round of peace talks between Iran and the United States, as diplomatic activity intensifies in the Pakistani capital.

According to sources, the Washington team reached Islamabad on Sunday (19 April) for discussions expected to take place next week between the two long-time rivals. However, neither Pakistan, Iran nor the US administration has officially announced the exact schedule.

The arrival of high-level foreign delegations has led to unprecedented security measures in the federal capital. Islamabad police said all vehicular movement in the Red Zone and Extended Red Zone has been suspended until further notice.

Citizens have been advised to use alternative routes, while authorities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have also suspended public transport and freight movement across both cities without specifying reasons.

Security has been tightened further in Rawalpindi following directives from City Police Officer Syed Khalid Mahmood Hamdani. More than 10,000 police personnel have been deployed, with over 600 checkpoints established across key routes. Elite commandos, sniper units, Dolphin Force teams and Quick Response Units are conducting round-the-clock patrols, supported by Safe City surveillance systems.

The diplomatic engagement follows an earlier round of talks held in Islamabad on 10–11 April after a two-week ceasefire agreement mediated on 8 April. The ongoing tensions trace back to regional unrest triggered by military strikes earlier in the year, prompting renewed diplomatic efforts led in part by Pakistan.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf recently said there had been some progress in talks with Washington, though significant differences remain on key issues. US President Donald Trump has also described the discussions as “productive”, while warning Iran against any form of “blackmail”.

The second round of talks is seen as a critical step toward exploring a possible long-term resolution to the ongoing tensions.