Iran

Published: April 10, 2026 21:40
Updated: April 10, 2026 23:49

Reading time: 2min – video: 2min

In Islamabad, everything is set for secret negotiations between Iran and the United States. However, Iranian demands related to Lebanon and ongoing Israeli airstrikes are weakening the dialogue, which could fail even before its official opening.

Islamabad (Pakistan) on high alert. The capital of Pakistan has been completely locked down, with closed roads. Everything is ready to host the negotiations between Iran and the United States, scheduled to take place in a luxury hotel. American Vice President J.D. Vance left the United States in early afternoon on April 10. He is expected to lead the negotiation team. Upon arrival, he stated: “I think it will be positive. As the President of the United States said, if the Iranians are ready to negotiate in good faith, we are fully prepared to reach out to them.”

On the other side, Iranians are casting doubt on their presence in Pakistan. They are insisting that the negotiations be conditional on a ceasefire in Lebanon, in addition to the one already in place in Iran. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote: “Lebanon is the entire axis of resistance. As an ally of Iran, it is an inseparable part of the ceasefire.”

However, a ceasefire in Lebanon is far from reality. Israel continues to bombard the country, leading to eight members of the Lebanese security forces being killed on April 10. While Israel has announced talks with Lebanon next week, they have no intention of stopping these airstrikes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated: “There is no ceasefire with Lebanon. We continue to strike Hezbollah forcefully.”

Meanwhile, Hezbollah rejects any idea of negotiation with Israel. This was confirmed by supporters of the Lebanese Shiite movement to our team during a visit organized by Hezbollah in one of its strongholds in the southern suburbs of Beirut. A woman said: “They are terrorists. They only live on the blood of men.”

The Lebanon issue highlights the fragility of these negotiations between Iran and the United States, which could fail before they even begin.