Vance heads to Islamabad as Iran gets Supreme Leader approval for talks before deadline

Vance heads to Islamabad for Iran talks as ceasefire nears expiry, with Axios reporting Iran’s Supreme Leader approved negotiators, boosting chances of a deal but leaving markets sensitive to escalation risks.

Summary:

• Vance to lead US delegation to Islamabad for Iran talks
• Ceasefire nearing expiry, raising urgency
• Trump threatens renewed strikes but open to extension
• Iran initially delayed amid IRGC pressure
• Supreme Leader now approves negotiators attending (Axios)
• Ghalibaf rejects talks under pressure and blockade

US Vice President JD Vance is set to travel to Islamabad for high-level talks with Iranian officials as efforts intensify to secure a deal to end the conflict, with the current ceasefire approaching its expiry.

According to US sources cited by Axios, Vance is expected to depart Tuesday morning, joined by senior envoys including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, in a renewed diplomatic push to reach an agreement before the deadline. The talks come amid mounting pressure from Donald Trump, who has warned of renewed strikes on Iranian infrastructure if negotiations fail, though he has indicated he may extend the timeline if meaningful progress is made.

On the Iranian side, participation has been complicated by internal divisions. Iranian negotiators had initially delayed engagement amid pressure from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to Axios. However, Axios also reports that negotiators have now received approval from the Supreme Leader to attend the talks in Pakistan, clearing a key political hurdle and allowing diplomacy to proceed.

The tensions underscore the fragile nature of the negotiations. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has publicly rejected negotiations conducted under pressure, insisting Tehran will not engage while the US maintains its blockade. He also accused Washington of attempting to turn diplomacy into what he described as a “table of surrender,” highlighting the domestic constraints facing Iranian officials.

With the ceasefire deadline fast approaching, the Islamabad talks represent a critical juncture. While both sides appear willing to engage, the outcome remains highly uncertain, with internal political pressures and external military risks continuing to shape the negotiating environment.

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The added confirmation that Iran’s Supreme Leader has approved participation marginally increases the probability of a near-term deal, which could ease oil prices if progress materialises. However, with deadlines looming and military risks still present, markets remain highly sensitive to headline flow.

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.