Pakistan Bolsters Security Ahead of U.S.-Iran Talks

(MENAFN) Pakistan said Monday that it has tightened security arrangements ahead of the possibility of a new round of US-Iran negotiations being held in Islamabad.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the US Embassy in Islamabad, where he reviewed the security measures in place for the anticipated second round of talks with US Charge d’Affaires to Pakistan Natalie Baker, according to an official statement.

During the visit, Naqvi outlined the preparedness steps and expressed hopes for a successful outcome of the upcoming negotiations.

He also held discussions with Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam focused on arrangements for the second phase of the Islamabad talks.

He said: "Preparations for the second phase of the Islamabad talks have been completed and foolproof security arrangements have been made for foreign delegations."

Former US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that US representatives would travel to Islamabad for discussions with Iranian officials.

However, Tehran has not formally confirmed participation. Iranian officials have instead reiterated demands, including the lifting of restrictions on Iranian ports.

Pakistan previously hosted high-level US-Iran engagement on April 11–12, marking the first such direct interaction since diplomatic ties were severed in 1979. Those discussions—referred to as the Islamabad talks—ended without a breakthrough, though they followed Pakistani mediation efforts after tensions escalated on Feb. 28 and contributed to a temporary ceasefire that took effect April 8.

Pakistani sources said Iranian representatives are expected to arrive in Islamabad on Tuesday.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran "does not accept any deadlines or ultimatums in pursuing its national interests."

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday urged the use of "every rational and diplomatic path” to ease tensions, adding that war serves no side’s interests.

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