ISLAMABAD: Despite all preparations, uncertainties prevail over the high-stakes US-Iran talks set for Saturday in Islamabad, casting a shadow on diplomatic efforts to stabilise a fragile regional ceasefire.
Senior Iranian officials have signalled no final decision on proceeding, even as Pakistan ramps up security and declares public holidays in the capital to facilitate the meetings.
A senior official at Iran's Foreign Ministry in Tehran told reporters on Friday morning that nothing has been conclusively decided regarding the negotiations.
Social media reports claiming the Iranian delegation had already arrived in Pakistan sparked brief excitement but were quickly denied, with at least one post deleted shortly after publication.
Pakistani authorities continue preparations at full pace, suggesting the talks may still occur as planned under the mediation efforts led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, closely aligned with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that negotiations would remain suspended until a ceasefire takes hold in Lebanon.
Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh echoed this position in an interview with the BBC's Today programme, stressing that ongoing developments in Lebanon directly impact the Islamabad process.
The situation forces Iran into a stark dilemma: distance itself from its key ally Hezbollah or risk derailing critical diplomatic channels with the United States.
Emergency efforts for a Lebanon ceasefire continued until the last moments, and these tensions appear to be spilling over into the broader US-Iran dialogue.
Pakistan has declared April 9 and 10 as public holidays in Islamabad, closed key areas in the Red Zone, and deployed extensive security including fighter jets, refuelling tankers, and AWACS systems to safeguard the delegations.
The White House confirmed that US Vice President JD Vance will lead the American side, accompanied by envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Iran's delegation is expected to include senior figures such as Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, according to multiple regional reports.
The talks follow a two-week ceasefire agreement brokered by Pakistan after intense back-channel diplomacy, aimed at ending hostilities that erupted following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Those strikes reportedly resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggered a wider conflict that disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, sending global energy prices soaring.
Iran has presented a 10-point proposal as the basis for negotiations, demanding full control over the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of all sanctions.
The United States seeks limits on Iran's nuclear programme, missile capabilities, and support for regional armed groups in exchange for sanctions relief.
Recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon, which killed over 300 people according to Lebanese health authorities, have tested the ceasefire's limits.
Iran views these attacks as a grave violation of the truce terms, while US and Israeli officials maintain that Lebanon operations fall outside the US-Iran agreement.
Khatibzadeh told the BBC that the United States must choose between war and ceasefire, stating it cannot have it both ways.
Tasnim news agency quoted Iranian sources warning of potential withdrawal from the ceasefire if Israeli aggression against Lebanon continues.
Despite the confusion, Pakistani officials insist the talks represent a historic opportunity for durable peace in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Sharif has repeatedly emphasised Pakistan's neutral mediation role and extended invitations to both sides for face-to-face discussions in Islamabad.
Global markets remain jittery, with oil prices fluctuating amid fears that any collapse in diplomacy could reopen the Strait of Hormuz to disruptions.
Analysts note that the presence of high-level figures like Vance signals Washington's serious intent, yet deep mistrust built over decades complicates any breakthrough.
The uncertainty has heightened security concerns in Islamabad, where authorities have restricted movement and mobilised additional forces.
Regional media in Pakistan and Iran continue to report mixed signals, with some outlets claiming the Iranian team may delay arrival until clarity emerges on Lebanon.
International coverage, including from Al Jazeera and Bloomberg, highlights the high stakes while acknowledging the persistent fog over the talks' exact timing and format.
Pakistan's role as mediator has drawn both praise and scepticism, with Israel expressing mistrust towards Islamabad's facilitation.
As Saturday approaches, the world watches whether diplomatic momentum can overcome the latest regional flashpoints.
The outcome of these negotiations could reshape Middle East alliances, energy security, and global power dynamics for years to come.