Esmaeil Baqaei, who is accompanying the Iranian team of negotiators in a visit to Islamabad to hold Pakistani-mediated talks with the US during an interim truce after 40 days of US-Israeli military aggression against Iran, gave the latest details of the ongoing negotiations in Pakistan on Saturday.
The spokesman reported that upon the Iranian team’s arrival in Islamabad early Saturday, they were received by Pakistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Commander of the Pakistan Army, and the Interior Minister. He noted that two hours of initial consultations were held to convey Iran's specific demands and expectations.
Furthermore, he stated that communication continued on Saturday morning through meetings with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during which Iran’s positions were reiterated clearly. He confirmed that these discussions remain active.
Baqaei emphasized that the delegation is operating during a “critical juncture” in Iran’s history, describing their diplomatic efforts as an extension of the nation's ongoing defense.
He provided assurance to the Iranian people that all available capacities are being utilized to protect Iran’s interests.
Regarding the ceasefire, the spokesperson clarified that Iran has defined the term as an absolute cessation of hostilities. He reported that, aside from a brief period during the initial hours of the agreement—to which Iran responded—there have been no further violations of the ceasefire against the country.
Addressing the situation in Lebanon, Baqaei noted that the cessation of hostilities in the Arab country was a formal component of the broader agreement, a point validated by the Pakistani mediator.
The spokesperson added that the Iranian negotiators have been in constant contact with Lebanon and with the Iranian ambassador in Beirut since their arrival in Islamabad to ensure the ceasefire is being strictly upheld.
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.