‘Act in good faith’: US warns Iran as negotiators arrive in Pakistan
Iranian negotiators have arrived in Pakistan ahead of crucial peace talks with the United States scheduled for this weekend, according to Iranian state media, setting the stage for a high-stakes diplomatic engagement amid rising regional tensions.
The development comes as US President Donald Trump said he had wished Vice President JD Vance luck before the American delegation departed for the region.
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Vance, who is expected to play a key role in the negotiations, struck a cautious tone, telling reporters he was “looking forward to negotiations” but warned that Washington would not respond positively if Tehran failed to act in “good faith” or attempted to “play” the United States.
However, even before formal discussions begin, fresh complications have emerged.
Iran’s parliament speaker has insisted that a ceasefire in Lebanon must be secured before any negotiations proceed, adding a significant precondition that could delay or derail the talks.
The demand underscores the complexity of the geopolitical landscape surrounding the negotiations. At the same time, parallel diplomatic efforts are unfolding involving Lebanon and Israel.
Lebanese officials have indicated that their representatives will meet an Israeli delegation in Washington on Tuesday to discuss a possible ceasefire and the broader framework for future negotiations.
Israel, however, has pushed back on the scope of those discussions. Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Leiter stated that while Israel has agreed to begin formal talks with Lebanese representatives, it will not entertain any ceasefire arrangement involving Hezbollah.
He described the militant group as the primary obstacle to peace and accused it of continuing attacks against Israel.
“Israel refused to discuss a ceasefire with the Hezbollah terrorist organization,” Leiter said, reinforcing his country’s hardline stance.
Despite these differences, diplomatic channels remain active. A call reportedly took place involving Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in Washington, along with the US ambassador to Beirut, suggesting continued efforts to keep dialogue open.
The upcoming meetings in Washington, expected to be mediated by the United States, are likely to focus on de-escalation in the Israel-Lebanon conflict.
However, with sharply differing positions on key issues, including the role of Hezbollah and the sequencing of ceasefire agreements, the path to any broader peace framework remains uncertain.
As multiple negotiations unfold simultaneously, the coming days are expected to test whether diplomacy can overcome entrenched divisions in an increasingly volatile region.