Washington/Islamabad: US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that American negotiators will be in Islamabad on Monday for the second round of talks with Iran, as Pakistan beefed up the security in and around the national capital.
The US and Iran held rare direct talks in Pakistan on April 11 and 12 in Islamabad aimed at ending their conflict, but the talks concluded without any agreement. Trump’s announcement of the fresh round of talks raised hopes of extending a two-week ceasefire that expires by Wednesday.
“My Representatives are going to Islamabad, Pakistan — They will be there tomorrow evening, for Negotiations,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
He, however, renewed threats to destroy bridges and power plants in Iran if Tehran fails to reach a peace deal.
According to the White House, Vice President JD Vance, who led the first round of marathon Islamabad Talks last weekend, would lead the American delegation. Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff would also be part of his team.
“Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are heading to the Middle East,” Trump told Fox News. “They will be leaving (Monday). Their meeting will begin on Tuesday morning. It’s a very simple deal; they’ve agreed to much of it,” he said about Special Envoy Witkoff and Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.
The standoff over the Strait of Hormuz – one of the sticking points during the first round of talks – escalated on Saturday as Iran closed and fired on ships attempting to cross the narrow strait as the US pushed ahead with its blockade of the Iranian ports.
Trump slammed the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Council for violating the ceasefire by firing upon ships transiting the Hormuz Strait.
“Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz — A Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement!” he said, alleging that Iranian forces targeted vessels in the strategic waterway, including a French ship and a UK-flagged freighter.
Trump did not refer to two Indian vessels that came under attack in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.
Trump said, “IT’S TIME FOR THE IRAN KILLING MACHINE TO END.”
“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran. NO MORE MR NICE GUY,” the US President said.
“They’ll come down fast, they’ll come down easy and, if they don’t take the DEAL, it will be my Honor to do what has to be done, which should have been done to Iran, by other Presidents, for the last 47 years,” Trump said.
Trump described Iran’s decision to close the Hormuz Strait as “strange,” asserting that the narrow waterway was already shut down because of the blockade imposed by the US.
There was no confirmation from the Iranian side about Tehran’s participation in the second round of talks.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi over the telephone on Sunday and discussed the current situation in the region.
Dar “emphasised the need for continued dialogue and engagement as essential to resolving the current issues as soon as possible for promoting peace and stability in the region and beyond,” said a statement.
Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact and also concurred on a phone call between the President of Iran and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, later on Sunday.
Even before Trump announced sending US negotiators to Pakistan, the administration of Islamabad and Rawalpindi indicated the arrival of foreign delegates for talks.
“Due to the arrival of foreign delegations in Islamabad, the Red Zone and Extended Red Zone will remain completely closed for all kinds of traffic,” Islamabad police said on its official X account.
“Citizens are advised to use alternate routes and cooperate with traffic police to ensure smooth flow and security,” it said.
Earlier, a police spokesperson said more than 10,000 police personnel have been deployed, and over 600 checkpoints have been established across Rawalpindi, the sprawling city adjacent to Islamabad, the Express Tribune newspaper reported.
Authorities have announced that from Sunday midnight, several sensitive areas surrounding Nur Khan Airbase and Islamabad International Airport will be sealed.
The Nur Khan Airbase is located in Rawalpindi, while the Islamabad International Airport falls in the territorial jurisdiction of the Attock district of Punjab province, but the passengers have to pass through the Rawalpindi district area to reach Islamabad.
Officers will also be stationed on rooftops as part of heightened vigilance.
Islamabad district administration has announced the suspension of public and heavy transport in the capital city.
The administration has instructed citizens to report any suspicious activity or security concerns immediately.
The Express Tribune newspaper reported that a complete ban has been imposed on drone flights, pigeon flying and aerial firing in Rawalpindi. Officials say these measures are aimed at ensuring the security of aircraft carrying high-level foreign delegations.
Islamabad district administration has announced the suspension of public and heavy transport in the capital city.
A high-level meeting, chaired by Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Mehmood Hamdani, was held at Police Lines Headquarters, where directives were issued to ensure foolproof security.
After the failed first round of talks, Pakistan re-launched its diplomatic efforts to facilitate another round of talks here for a possible agreement to end the war between the US and Iran.
Starting April 15, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye, while Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir spent three days in Iran to create a consensus on contentious issues.
