Pakistan’s capital is under tight security as Islamabad prepares to host what officials describe as historic negotiations between Iran and the United States. The talks, due to take place over the weekend, are being presented as a potential turning point in a conflict that has already caused widespread devastation across the Middle East.
But the diplomatic effort is unfolding against a volatile backdrop. The US-Iran ceasefire is looking increasingly fragile, with continued Israeli bombardment of Lebanon adding pressure to an already tense regional situation. Disputes over the terms of the talks have also raised doubts about whether the agreement can hold.
On Friday, US President Donald Trump cast doubt on the ceasefire, pointing to the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to US media, Trump said he had asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be more “low-key” in Lebanon.
At the same time, Israel and Hezbollah have continued to exchange strikes, underlining how far the conflict remains from any lasting de-escalation. The renewed violence comes as leaders and diplomats attempt to keep the Iran-US negotiations on track.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, has said there is no ceasefire in Lebanon, despite signs that international pressure is mounting for restraint. Israel launched fresh strikes as the fighting continued, reinforcing fears that the situation could widen further.
In Islamabad, authorities have imposed a strict lockdown on the streets as the city prepares for the planned talks. Pakistani officials say the negotiations will go ahead as scheduled, despite the uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire and the broader regional crisis.
The coming weekend is now being framed as a crucial test for the diplomacy. The outcome of the Iran-US talks may help determine whether the current ceasefire can survive or whether the conflict will deepen further across the Middle East.
