US and Iran Hold Historic Peace Talks in Pakistan Amid Hormuz Mine Clearing

United States and Iranian officials began direct peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, on April 11, 2026, in an effort to end a six-week war that has destabilized the Middle East. The negotiations, mediated by Pakistan, involve high-level delegations seeking a permanent agreement to resolve the conflict that began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran.

An American delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, arrived in Islamabad on the morning of April 11 to meet with senior Iranian negotiators. Before the direct talks commenced, both delegations met separately with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Strait of Hormuz and Naval Activity

The diplomatic efforts in Islamabad are occurring alongside continued military tension in the Strait of Hormuz. On April 11, 2026, the United States confirmed that warships passed through the strait. President Donald Trump claimed that the U.S. Navy has begun clearing mines from the waterway.

Control over the Strait of Hormuz remains a central point of contention. The Iranian delegation has demanded the right to charge ships passing through the strait as part of any final peace agreement.

Iranian Demands and Regional Conflict

Iran has presented a 10-point negotiation plan containing several key requirements for a permanent deal. These demands include the release of $6 billion in frozen assets and specific guarantees regarding its nuclear program.

Iran is also demanding an end to Israeli military operations against Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group in Lebanon. This demand comes as Israel’s military continued its campaign on April 11, reporting that it had struck more than 200 Hezbollah-affiliated targets within the preceding 24 hours.

Status of Negotiations

The talks in Islamabad stretched into the early hours of Sunday, April 12, 2026. While the duration of the meetings suggests significant progress on several points, officials indicate that difficult sticking points remain.

The negotiations are taking place under a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The stability of this ceasefire has been challenged by the ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon and the disputes over maritime access in the Strait of Hormuz.

Both the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran have sought to project strength and claim victory throughout the six-week conflict, complicating the process of separating political rhetoric from the factual progress of the diplomatic talks.