Vance warns Iran not to 'play us' as historic US-Iran talks begin in Islamabad

Lead

ISLAMABAD — US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Pakistan on Friday to lead the American delegation in direct talks with Iran, the highest-level face-to-face negotiations between the two countries since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, according to BBC reporting. As he departed from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Vance said he was "looking forward to the negotiation" and predicted a "positive" outcome, but he also issued a warning: "If they're going to try to play us, then they're going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive," he told reporters, as reported by multiple outlets. The talks, hosted by Pakistan, are intended to end the war between the US and Iran, with both sides accusing each other of breaching the fragile two-week ceasefire agreement that took effect on Tuesday.

Coverage Comparison

Across the reporting surveyed, the central focus has been Vance's dual message of openness and warning, as carried by Deutsche Welle, Yonhap News, and ABC Australia. Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, issued a counter-request: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran's blocked assets. This demand, posted to X, was echoed by Yonhap, France 24, and others.

BBC coverage stressed the historic nature of the sit-down, noting that it represents the highest-level talks since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Lyse Doucet, BBC's chief international correspondent, reported from Islamabad that the meeting itself, "if and when a photograph is taken," would be historic, regardless of the outcome. Dawn's report also highlighted the "extraordinary rarity" of direct US-Iran diplomacy, citing American news outlets' framing. The Jerusalem Post added details on the US demands and internal deliberations, including a focus on releasing detained Americans and the possible inclusion of special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Key Claims

• Vance's rhetoric: Before departure, Vance said he was "hoping for a positive negotiation" but warned, "if they're going to try to play us, then they're going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive," as reported by Deutsche Welle and others. He added that President Trump gave "some pretty clear guidelines," but declined to elaborate.

• Iran's preconditions: Parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf posted on X: "Two of the measures mutually agreed upon between the parties have yet to be implemented: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran's blocked assets prior to the commencement of negotiations." These preconditions were covered by Yonhap, France 24, and ABC, among others.

• Fragile ceasefire: Both sides accused each other of violating the two-week ceasefire, which Smithsonian reports has been broken almost from the announcement. Intermittent events include Iranian restrictions on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Yonhap, and tit-for-tat exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon (ABC, France 24).

• Trump's warnings: Trump warned during a phone interview with the New York Post, as reported by Yonhap, that the US could resume strikes on Iran if talks fail, saying "we will be using them, and we will be using them very effectively." He also made remarks about "clearing out" the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by Dawn.

• US demands: Jerusalem Post reported, citing The Washington Post, that US officials aim to demand the release of Americans detained in Iran as part of the negotiations, though it's unclear what priority will be given to that demand.

• Iranian hesitation: The Jerusalem Post reported, citing Axios, that the Iranian negotiating team hesitated under pressure from the IRGC to hold a stronger line, refusing talks unless the US blockade on the Strait of Hormuz is lifted.

Perspectives

United States: The US aims for a positive negotiation but insists on good faith and sends warnings. Trump has been resolute in his comments, indicating military force may be used if the talks fail, while Vance leads a delegation that, according to Yonhap, includes special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. US officials, as reported by The Washington Post via Jerusalem Post, intend to press for the release of detained Americans.

Iran: Tehran's negotiating team, led by Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has linked the talks to a ceasefire for Lebanon and a freeze on Iranian assets. Iranian officials have also expressed wariness, with the IRGC allegedly pushing for a finer hard line. President Pezeshkian, in online statements, said "the continuation of these actions will render negotiations meaningless," referring to Lebanon, as reported by BBC.

Pakistan (host): Pakistani officials are taking on both playing roles of host and mediator, emphasizing that they enjoy banking on both sides. Islamabad's streets are under a security lock, with about 6,000 troops deployed for the talks, as noted by BBC.