By The South Asia Times

TEHRAN - Iranian and American negotiating teams are scheduled to hold talks Saturday afternoon at the Serena Hotel in Pakistan's capital, but only if the US delegation accepts Iran's preconditions, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported.

The Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and numbering approximately 70 members, arrived in Islamabad earlier Saturday. The team includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as head of the political committee, Abdolnaser Hemmati as head of the economic committee, Admiral Ahmadian as head of the military committee, and Esmaeil Baqaei as head of the legal committee.

In addition to the main negotiators, 26 members of technical and specialized committees in the economic, security, and political fields are part of the delegation to provide necessary advice due to the "high sensitivity of the negotiations," Tasnim reported.

Twenty-three media members from various outlets are also accompanying the delegation, along with protocol and coordination teams, translators, and a security team.

Before any talks with the Americans, the Iranian delegation will meet with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday morning, according to Tasnim's correspondent in Islamabad.

The meeting underscores Pakistan's central role as host and mediator in the high-stakes diplomatic engagement.

The American team, led by US Vice President JD Vance and accompanied by about 300 people, will arrive in Pakistan on Saturday morning after the Iranian team, according to a report.

Vance is accompanied by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law. The large US contingent reflects the importance Washington places on the negotiations.

According to Tasnim, if the Americans accept the Iranian delegation's preconditions, the talks will begin Saturday afternoon at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad.

Tasnim did not specify the exact nature of Iran's preconditions. However, previous statements from Iranian officials have indicated that Tehran seeks guarantees against future US military action, a permanent end to hostilities, and a cessation of Israeli operations in Lebanon before committing to direct negotiations.

The Serena Hotel, located in Islamabad's high-security Red Zone, has been prepared for the historic talks. Pakistani authorities have implemented unprecedented security measures across the capital, with major roads leading to the diplomatic enclave and key government installations closed since Thursday.

The talks aim to transform a fragile two-week ceasefire into a lasting peace agreement. However, with Iran publicly attaching preconditions to direct engagement, the outcome remains uncertain.

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