By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - American and Iranian delegations will hold direct face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan's capital beginning Saturday, aiming to transform a fragile two-week truce into a permanent ceasefire, Pakistani government sources told Anadolu on Thursday.

The talks, expected to span multiple days, represent the most significant direct engagement between Washington and Tehran in years. They will be held at a military site under heightened security, with the Pakistani army in charge of arrangements, according to Anadolu news agency.

There is no fixed timeframe for the negotiations, which will include a mix of direct and indirect contacts between the delegations, according to the sources.

"The two sides will also sit face to face, and hold separate talks with the Pakistani side," one source said, adding that discussions could continue for "several days" given the "complex nature of the issue."

Another source offered a more cautious estimate, suggesting direct talks could last "not more than two to three days due to security concerns."

- Vance Leads Historic US Delegation

The White House has confirmed that Vice President JD Vance will lead the American delegation, joined by President Donald Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and former senior White House adviser.

The visit marks the highest-level US official 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, who made a two-day trip on March 3-4, 2006, when American and NATO forces were actively fighting the war on terror in neighboring Afghanistan.

- Iranian Delegation Includes Revolutionary Guard Commanders

Pakistani sources said Iran's delegation is expected to include Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. There has been no official confirmation from Tehran on the composition of its delegation.

In a significant development, four senior commanders from Iran's Revolutionary Guard will also take part in the talks, the sources said – suggesting that military dimensions of any potential agreement will be on the table.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will present the host side during the negotiations. Both delegations are also expected to make courtesy calls to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The talks come after Pakistan successfully brokered a two-week ceasefire between the two sides, pulling the region back from the brink of a wider war. However, Prime Minister Sharif acknowledged Wednesday that "violations of the ceasefire have been reported at a few places across the conflict zone," urging all parties to exercise restraint.

Pakistani authorities have implemented heightened security measures across Islamabad. Major roads leading to the diplomatic enclave, as well as key government installations including the Prime Minister's Office, the President's House, the Supreme Court, and the Foreign Ministry, have been closed since Thursday morning.

The delegations will be housed at a luxury hotel in the capital, with the Pakistani military providing comprehensive security. Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi canceled his weekly media briefing due to the road closures and security arrangements.

With direct talks set to begin Saturday, the world will be watching Islamabad. The negotiations face significant hurdles, including repeated violations of the existing ceasefire and deep mistrust between Washington and Tehran.

Yet the very fact of direct, face-to-face engagement – with senior officials and military commanders present – offers a rare glimmer of hope in a region long accustomed to confrontation.

Whether the "Islamabad Talks" can deliver a permanent ceasefire remains to be seen. But for now, Pakistan's capital has become the most important diplomatic venue on the planet.