Lebanon violence loom over Iran, U.S. talks

April 9, 2026 (MLN):  Iranian negotiators are scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on Thursday night for high-stakes talks with the United States, as a fragile two-week truce faces pressure from ongoing conflict in Lebanon and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.

The ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, has opened a narrow diplomatic window, but key conditions on both sides remain unresolved.

Iran’s envoy to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, confirmed the delegation’s arrival on social media, emphasizing that serious negotiations with the U.S. will proceed despite the ongoing regional violence, according to Investing.com.

The Pakistani government condemned new Israeli strikes on Lebanon, calling them a threat to regional stability and global peace efforts, while urging urgent international intervention. France and Italy have similarly criticized the offensive.

Vice President JD Vance will lead the U.S. delegation in Islamabad, joined by senior advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

The first round of formal talks is scheduled for Saturday morning, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Meanwhile, Iran has indicated that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will resume only under strict conditions tied to U.S. and Israeli actions in the region.

Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh stated that safe passage would follow “international norms and international law” only after Washington ends what Tehran calls “aggression” and Israel halts operations in Lebanon.

The link Iran has drawn between the Strait of Hormuz and developments in Lebanon emphasizes the fragile nature of the current truce. While Washington and Tehran have agreed to pause direct hostilities, the continuation of Israeli operations risks prolonging instability and complicating ongoing negotiations.

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