ISLAMABAD — Talks between Iran and the United States aimed at ending the war began Saturday in Islamabad, with Pakistan mediating what are seen as the most significant negotiations between the two sides in decades.According to IRIB, the discussions are being held at a hotel in the Pakistani capital as part of efforts to build on a fragile two-week ceasefire reached earlier this week.Iran has set two key conditions for entering the talks, the report said. The first involves the release of its frozen assets held abroad, which the US side has reportedly agreed to.The second relates to the situation in Lebanon, where Tehran disputes claims that a full ceasefire has been achieved, citing continued Israeli strikes in the south despite a broader halt in attacks on Beirut.Separately, Tasnim News Agency reported that the negotiations have entered an expert-level phase, with specialized committees from both sides heading to the venue.The report added that Michael Kurilla is not part of the US delegation, contrary to earlier speculation.The US side is represented by Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner.On the Iranian side, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf is leading the delegation, accompanied by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and senior official Ali Bagheri Kani.Pakistan is hosting the landmark negotiations, widely referred to as the “Islamabad Talks,” as both sides seek a pathway toward ending the broader regional conflict.
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