By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD  - United States Vice President JD Vance arrived in Pakistan's capital on Saturday morning to lead the American delegation in landmark peace talks with Iran, marking the highest-level US official visit to the country in 15 years.

Air Force Two touched down at PAF Base Nur Khan in Islamabad at 10:29 a.m. local time, according to White House pool reports. Vance exited the aircraft at 10:46 a.m., where a young boy presented him with a bouquet of flowers. The Vice President then walked down a red carpet past an honor guard before departing in his motorcade.

The US delegation was received by an extraordinary assembly of Pakistan's top civilian and military leadership, reflecting the importance Islamabad places on the negotiations.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi were present at the airbase to welcome Vance, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry announced.

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who arrived ahead of the Vice President, were standing at the end of the red carpet and greeted Vance before he entered his vehicle, pool reports indicated.

US Charge d'Affaires Natalie A. Baker was also among the officials greeting the Vice President.

Welcoming the US Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister Dar commended the United States' commitment to achieving lasting regional and global peace and stability.

Dar expressed hope that both parties would engage constructively and reiterated Pakistan's desire to continue facilitating the parties toward reaching a "lasting and durable solution to the conflict," the Foreign Ministry statement said.

- Iranian Delegation Already in Islamabad

The US arrival follows that of the Iranian delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, which landed in Islamabad earlier Saturday. The Iranian team was received by the same high-level Pakistani officials.

According to Iran's Tasnim news agency, the Iranian delegation numbers approximately 70 members, including technical committees in the economic, security, and political fields, as well as 23 media representatives.

Motorcades from the US delegation were seen passing signs for "Islamabad Talks April 2026" as they departed the airbase. The destination was not immediately disclosed.

According to earlier Tasnim reporting, Iranian and American negotiating teams are scheduled to hold talks Saturday afternoon at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad, though Iran has indicated that preconditions must be met before direct engagement begins.

The visit marks the highest-level US 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 in March 2006.

As the world watches, Islamabad has become the center of global diplomacy.