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US Vice President JD Vance has issued a sharp warning to Iran not to “play” Washington, as he departed for Islamabad where the United States hopes to turn a fragile ceasefire into a more durable peace arrangement.
The talks, being held in Pakistan, come amid lingering tensions between both sides over compliance with the truce, with each accusing the other of undermining the agreement shortly after it came into effect.
Speaking to reporters before leaving Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Vance stressed that Washington was still open to diplomacy, but only if Tehran engages sincerely.
“If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we’re certainly willing to extend the open hand,” he said.
However, he cautioned that any attempt to manipulate the process would be firmly rejected.
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“But ‘if they’re going to try to play us, then they’re going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive’,” he added.
Key issues expected on the table in Islamabad include Iran’s nuclear programme and the flow of global trade through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route for global energy supplies.
While Pakistan had initially indicated that talks would begin on Friday, Vance is not expected to arrive until Saturday, as security around the venue in Islamabad has been significantly tightened ahead of the high-level meeting.
Tensions remain high outside the negotiation room, with Iran insisting that Israeli military actions in Lebanon have complicated the ceasefire arrangement, while Tehran has suggested that its participation in talks could depend on broader compliance with truce commitments.
