ISLAMABAD The eyes of the world turned to the Pakistani capital today as high-level delegations from the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran sat directly across from one another, marking a seismic shift in decades of hostile relations.

The "Make or Break" Moment

The summit, described by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as a "make or break" effort for global stability, follows a period of devastating conflict in the Middle East that began in late February. The talks are designed to solidify the temporary truce brokered by Pakistan on April 8.

High-Level Participation

Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by senior advisors Jared Kushner and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, represented the American interest. On the Iranian side, Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf led a delegation that included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and key military and economic experts.

Negotiations at the Table

The discussions, which moved into an "expert-level stage" by late afternoon, focused on three critical pillars:

Maritime Security: Technical committees discussed the immediate clearing of naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz to restore global oil flow.

Financial & Nuclear Terms: Iran has demanded the unblocking of billions in frozen assets and reparations, while the U.S. remains firm on verifiable nuclear constraints.

Regional De-escalation: A major sticking point remains the conflict in Lebanon, with Tehran pushing for a comprehensive ceasefire that includes Israeli operations.

A Cautious Atmosphere

Despite the historic nature of the "face-to-face" trilateral meeting involving Pakistani mediators, both sides expressed deep-seated mistrust. While VP Vance stated that the U.S. is willing to extend an "open hand" if Iran acts in good faith, Ghalibaf noted upon arrival that while Iran has "good intentions," it lacks trust in Washington due to past "broken promises."

As the clock passes the nine-hour mark, sources indicate that the session may be extended into tomorrow to finalize the wording of official texts. For now, the world watches Islamabad, where the prospect of peace or a return to broader war hangs in the balance.