JD Vance has warned the Iranian regime not to “try to play us” before heading to Pakistan for crunch peace talks.
Leaving for Islamabad, where the talks are going to take place tomorrow (Saturday, 11 April), he said “if the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we’re certainly willing to extend the open hand. If they’re going to try to play us, then they’re going to find that the negotiating team is not that receptive”.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will also attend, while Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam said in a post on X that an Iranian delegation will arrive in Islamabad on Thursday night for talks.
The post read: “Despite skepticism of Iranian public opinion due to repeated ceasefire violations by Israeli regime to sabotage the diplomatic initiative, invited by Hon. PM Shehbaz Sharif, Iranian delegation arrives tonight in Islamabad for serious talks based on 10 points proposed by Iran.”
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif previously warned peace talks could be jeopardised by ceasefire violations that took place earlier this week.
He said: “Violations of ceasefire have been reported at few places across the conflict zone which undermine the spirit of peace process. I earnestly and sincerely urge all parties to exercise restraint and respect the ceasefire for two weeks, as agreed upon, so that diplomacy can take a lead role towards peaceful settlement of the conflict.”