ISLAMABAD: New York Post foreign policy correspondent Caitlin Doornbos has pushed back against a CBS report regarding the composition of delegations during recent US-Iran ceasefire negotiations hosted in Pakistan.

Doornbos stated that Iranian military personnel were likely included in advance teams and support delegations that operated in Islamabad over several weeks.

Her assessment aligns with observed diplomatic movements, including multiple aircraft arrivals from both Iran and the United States to facilitate personnel transport.

Pakistani officials confirmed that special flights carried diplomatic staff, security details, and administrative teams during the lead-up to and following the initial round of talks in mid-April 2026.

The Islamabad Talks, held primarily on April 11-12, aimed to stabilise a fragile ceasefire brokered earlier with Pakistani mediation after a six-week conflict that caused significant regional disruption.

Vice President JD Vance led the US side, while Iranian representatives engaged in over 21 hours of discussions at venues including the Serena Hotel. No final agreement was reached on core issues, particularly nuclear-related demands.

Doornbos, who remained in Islamabad for weeks covering developments, noted in her reporting and commentary that logistical support from both sides pointed to deeper operational coordination than publicly detailed.

Aircraft movements included temporary stays by Iranian and American planes with associated support staff anticipating possible follow-on rounds.

“Following the ceasefire and during the initial round of the Islamabad Talks, a number of aircraft from Iran and the United States arrived in Pakistan to facilitate the movement of diplomatic personnel, security teams and administrative staff,” sources familiar with the arrangements indicated.

Some assets remained on standby in anticipation of subsequent engagements.

Pakistani authorities deployed over 10,000 security personnel during the talks period to manage the high-profile event. Strict lockdowns and road closures were enforced in key areas of the capital.

The mediation effort represented a notable diplomatic role for Pakistan, leveraging its relations with both Washington and Tehran. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir received public acknowledgments from both sides for their role in initial ceasefire arrangements.

Doornbos challenged the CBS narrative, which reportedly downplayed direct Iranian military involvement in on-ground delegation activities. Her position, drawn from extended on-site presence, suggests military-linked personnel formed part of broader support structures essential for such sensitive negotiations.

The talks occurred against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions. The preceding conflict had disrupted energy flows, with implications for global oil markets and shipping through key passages.

Pakistan’s facilitation included coordination with partners such as China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt to support the process.

Official figures on delegation sizes remain limited, but reports indicated small but high-level Iranian teams alongside substantial US representation, including special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in preparatory phases.

Logistical demands for such engagements typically involve advance security assessments, communication setups, and contingency planning — roles where military expertise is standard across diplomatic missions.

Market reactions in Pakistan remained measured during the active talks period, with the rupee showing relative stability amid focused diplomatic activity.

Broader economic indicators, including ongoing inflation management efforts, continued separately under government focus.

Regional observers note that Pakistan’s successful hosting, despite no immediate breakthrough, has strengthened its position as a potential venue for future rounds.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later led a follow-up delegation to Islamabad in late April, underscoring continued engagement channels.

Doornbos’ reporting has provided granular details throughout the process, including direct communications attributed to US officials on the ground.

Her rejection of the CBS framing adds to public discourse on the opacity that often surrounds high-stakes backchannel preparations.

Analysts suggest that inclusion of military personnel in support capacities is routine in such ceasefires and de-escalation efforts to address immediate security concerns and verification needs.

This approach allows for faster information flow and risk assessment compared to purely civilian channels.

The absence of a second full round so far has kept the ceasefire in a tentative state, with both sides issuing periodic statements on readiness while maintaining core positions.

Pakistan continues quiet diplomatic outreach to bridge remaining gaps.

Future developments may hinge on renewed high-level contacts, possibly building on the logistical frameworks already tested during the April engagements.

Questions remain on timelines for any resumed talks and the precise conditions each side will table.

Evolving regional dynamics, including energy security and broader Gulf stability, are expected to influence the pace of any renewed negotiations.