Islamabad has been placed under an unprecedented security cover as Pakistan prepares to host high-stakes talks between the United States and Iran this weekend, even as tensions remain high following warnings from Iran’s top leadership over Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
Authorities ramped up security across the capital on Thursday, with key roads sealed, traffic diverted, and sensitive zones locked down ahead of the arrival of foreign delegations expected later in the night.
The development comes as Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week conditional ceasefire, setting the stage for face-to-face talks in Islamabad aimed at converting the temporary truce into a lasting peace arrangement.
Pakistan's interior minister Mohsin Naqvi assured the US delegation that elaborate arrangements were in place for the visiting dignitaries, promising 'foolproof security'.
A 30-member advance US team has already reached Islamabad to assess on-ground security preparations, while a multi-layered security system has been put in place in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
The talks are expected to go beyond ceasefire arrangements and address a broader framework for long-term peace, with key issues including sanctions relief, regional security concerns, and the future of Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes.
However, hours before the proposed talks, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian raised concerns over recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon, warning that such actions could undermine the diplomatic process.
