What you need to know about upcoming US-Iran ceasefire talks

Pakistan will host US-Iran ceasefire talks in Islamabad this weekend, as diplomatic efforts continue to stabilise a fragile truce announced earlier this week, Al Jazeera reported.

According to the White House, US Vice President JD Vance will lead the American delegation, joined by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Iran's delegation is expected to be led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to formally host the talks and hold separate preliminary meetings with both sides today (10 April) or early Saturday morning, depending on the arrival of the delegations in the Pakistani capital.

The meeting comes amid rising regional tensions despite the ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, following six weeks of conflict with Iran. The truce was declared shortly before a deadline after which Trump had threatened severe escalation.

Previously, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sought direct talks with Beirut after a heavy bombardment that killed more than 300 people in Lebanon, putting the ceasefire framework under strain. Trump had announced the ceasefire just hours before the deadline.

Iran, meanwhile, has maintained a defiant position. A statement attributed to its Supreme Leader said the country was not seeking war but would not give up its rights. Tehran has also warned of further action over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route where traffic has sharply declined since the conflict escalated.

The situation remains tense as Israel continues military operations in Lebanon, while disagreements persist over whether Lebanon and Iran-aligned groups are covered under the ceasefire arrangement. Iran and Pakistan have argued that these actors are part of the broader agreement, while Washington and Israel maintain otherwise.