Overview
- U.S. officials say a delegation expected to include Vice President J.D. Vance and envoys Stephen Witkoff and Jared Kushner is preparing to fly to Islamabad, though flight-tracking reports placed Vance’s plane in Washington earlier.
- Iran has not confirmed participation and a Foreign Ministry representative said Tehran does not plan to attend, arguing it will not negotiate under threats.
- Tehran is pressing for the release of an Iranian‑flagged cargo ship that U.S. forces took under control in the Gulf on April 19, a dispute now central to whether talks proceed.
- Some outlets, citing unnamed sources, report Iran’s leadership has given quiet approval to send negotiators or has told mediators it is ready, but no official statement has followed.
- The pause in fighting ends April 22 after a first round in Islamabad on April 11 produced no deal, and Pakistan has tightened security as talks are expected to tackle Iran’s nuclear program and control of the Strait of Hormuz, a lane that carries about a fifth of global oil and LNG shipments.