By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD – A high-powered Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf arrived in Pakistan's capital on Saturday for landmark talks with American officials, as the highest-level US delegation in nearly 15 years was en route to Islamabad.

The Iranian delegation was received at the airport by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, along with Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry announced.

The high-level reception underscores the importance Pakistan places on the negotiations, which aim to transform a fragile two-week ceasefire into a lasting peace agreement.

The Iranian delegation includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and four senior commanders from Iran's Revolutionary Guard, according to Pakistani government sources. The presence of military commanders suggests that security and military dimensions of any potential agreement will be on the table.

Meanwhile, the US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance is en route to Islamabad. Vance is accompanied by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and former senior White House adviser.

The visit marks the highest-level US trip to Pakistan since then-Vice President Joe Biden traveled to Islamabad in January 2011. The last US President to visit Pakistan was George W. Bush in March 2006.

- Pakistan's Message of Hope

Foreign Minister Dar expressed hope that both parties would engage constructively in the talks.

"Reiterated Pakistan's desire to continue facilitating the parties towards reaching lasting and durable solution to the conflict," the Foreign Ministry statement said.

Earlier Saturday, addressing the nation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said: "The two parties who were facing each other in battle just yesterday have today agreed to resolve their matters through dialogue."

He extended thanks to the leadership of Iran and the United States for accepting Pakistan's proposal to host the talks, calling it "a proud moment for Pakistan and the entire Muslim world."

Direct negotiations aimed at securing a permanent ceasefire are expected to begin soon at a military site under Pakistani army supervision. The talks are expected to span multiple days given the complexity of the issues, including Iran's demand for a UN-backed guarantee mechanism and Israel's continued military operations in Lebanon.

As the world watches, Islamabad has become the most important diplomatic venue on the planet.