Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Apr 9: The White House on Wednesday announced that US President Donald Trump will dispatch a high-level negotiating team to Islamabad for crucial talks with Iran later this week, signalling a fresh diplomatic push following weeks of hostilities.

Addressing a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the delegation will be led by US Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Senior Advisor Jared Kushner.

Leavitt described Vance as the President’s “right-hand man”, noting his active involvement in the negotiations from the outset. “He has played a very significant and key role in this process and will be leading this new phase of negotiations in Islamabad later this week,” she said.

The first round of in-person talks is scheduled to take place on Saturday morning (local time) in Islamabad, with both sides expressing optimism over the diplomatic engagement.

Iran has already confirmed its participation, with President Masoud Pezeshkian backing the move. According to Iranian state media, the delegation from Tehran will be led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who has been a key figure in the country’s wartime leadership.

The talks follow a recently announced two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran after a prolonged period of conflict. Trump had earlier suspended the “bombing and attack” campaign, stating that a 10-point proposal put forward by Iran was “workable”.

Officials on both sides indicated that the upcoming meeting aims to de-escalate tensions, address key strategic concerns, and explore a framework for long-term stability in the region.