Pakistan – A significant escalation in diplomatic activity has been confirmed as formal negotiations between the United States and Iran are scheduled to begin this Friday in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. These talks follow the recently announced two-week ceasefire and will be structured around a ten-point proposal formulated by Iran and accepted by President Donald J. Trump. While the Pakistani government has asserted that the ceasefire includes Lebanon and the broader region, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office has issued a statement of support for the suspension of strikes against Iran while explicitly claiming the truce does not include Lebanon.

The upcoming discussions in Islamabad will focus on the following ten points as reported by the Fars news agency:

• Iran’s commitment not to build nuclear weapons.
• Provisions paving the way for a complete cessation of any aggression against Iran and allied groups.
• Possible withdrawal of US combat forces from the region and a ban on any attacks on Iran from regional bases.
• Limited daily passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks, under a Safe Passage Protocol provision and specific rules of Iran.
• Lifting of all primary, secondary and UN sanctions against Iran.
• Covering Iran’s losses from the war by creating an investment and financial fund for the country.
• Acceptance by the US of Iran’s right to enrich nuclear materials and discussion on the level of enrichment.
• Permission for Iran to negotiate bilateral and multilateral peace treaties with regional countries.
• Extension of the non-aggression policy towards all resistance groups in the region.
• Ratification of all commitments through an official United Nations resolution.

During a briefing regarding the scope of the agreement, a reporter asked, “Does this ceasefire offer protection to all allied regional groups?” A Pakistani official responded, “The ceasefire applies to Lebanon, too, as part of the broader effort to stabilise the region.” However, Benjamin Netanyahu’s office clarified the Israeli position, stating, “Israel supports the decision to suspend strikes, but the two-week ceasefire does not include Lebanon.” Despite these conflicting interpretations, both Washington and Tehran prepare to meet this Friday to finalise what President Trump described as a “workable basis” for a permanent resolution.