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U.S. and Iranian delegations are set to hold direct talks in Islamabad beginning Saturday aimed at reaching a permanent ceasefire, Pakistani government sources told Anadolu, as Pakistan prepares to host several days of high-security negotiations in its capital.
The sources said the negotiations may continue beyond a single day and will include both direct and indirect contacts between the two sides. The meetings are expected to take place at a military site under heightened security, with the Pakistani army in charge.
According to the sources, there is no fixed timeframe for the negotiations because of what they described as the complex nature of the issue.
Pakistani government sources said the negotiations will involve a mix of direct and indirect contacts between the U.S. and Iranian delegations.
"The two sides will also sit face to face, and hold separate talks with the Pakistani side," one source said.
The same source said the discussions could continue for several days because of the complexity of the issue.
Another source said the direct talks could last no more than two to three days because of security concerns.
Pakistan is preparing to host the talks in Islamabad after helping secure a fragile two-week ceasefire between the two sides, the sources said.
They said the meetings will be held at a military site under heightened security.
The Pakistani army will be in charge of security for the negotiations, according to the sources.
The arrangements reflect the high level of security surrounding the expected talks in the capital.
The White House has confirmed that Vice President JD Vance will lead the U.S. delegation.
The delegation will also include President Donald Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
The sources said the U.S. side is expected to enter the talks under that lineup as discussions begin Saturday.
Pakistani sources said Iran's delegation is expected to include Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf.
They also said four senior commanders from Iran's Revolutionary Guard will take part in the talks.
There has been no official confirmation from Tehran on the composition of the Iranian delegation.
The reported lineup suggests Iran will send both political and military figures to the negotiations.
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