According to Tasnim’s correspondent dispatched to Islamabad, after the arrival of the Iranian negotiating delegation in Islamabad on Friday night, members of the Iranian team had a meeting with the Chief of the Army Staff of Pakistan.
The Iranian negotiators are going to hold talks with Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif at 1 pm local time today, April 11.
Given the complexity and high sensitivity of the negotiations between Iran and the United States, the Iranian delegation includes not only the main negotiators but also technical and expert committees for necessary consultations.
The Iranian delegation consists of 71 members, including the main negotiating team, expert teams, media representatives, and customary ceremonial and security teams.
Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf is leading the Iranian delegation, which also includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, Governor of the Central Bank of Iran Abdolnaser Hemmati, and member of the National Defense Council Ali Akbar Ahmadian.
The Iranian delegation also includes Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, Spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Esmaeil Baqaei, Deputy for Foreign Policy at the Supreme National Security Council Ali Baqeri Kani, member of Parliament Mahmoud Nabavian, International Affairs Assistant to the Speaker of the Parliament Abolfazl Amouei, and Strategic Adviser to the Speaker of the Parliament Mahdi Mohammadi.
Reports suggest that the American delegation has arrived in Islamabad with 300 members, which includes the main team and advisory committees, with a significant portion dedicated to the security and ceremonial team.
Following the assassination of late Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and several military commanders on February 28, the US and Israel launched an extensive military offensive against Iran. In response, the Iranian Armed Forces carried out attacks on American and Israeli positions in the region and the occupied territories, showcasing their capability to retaliate effectively. Contrary to the aggressors' expectations of a quick victory, Iran's powerful counterattacks for 40 days inflicted significant damage on US and Israeli military assets.
In an effort to de-escalate the situation, Pakistani mediation led to a two-week ceasefire agreement on April 8 that allows for negotiations in Islamabad. Iran has laid out a ten-point plan for the talks, which includes demands for the withdrawal of US forces, the lifting of sanctions, and control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian government maintains a stance of distrust towards the US, asserting that the negotiations are not meant to resolve the conflict but rather to shift the battleground into the diplomatic arena.