A U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance is headed to Pakistan for talks with Iranian officials aimed at shoring up a shaky ceasefire and paving the way for a permanent end to the fighting

The U.S. and Iran were to hold negotiations in the Pakistani ⁠capital ⁠Islamabad on Saturday to end their six-week-old war, although Tehran threw ⁠the talks into doubt by saying they could not begin without commitments on Lebanon and sanctions.

A US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance has begun Saturday’s closely watched negotiations with Iranian officials in Pakistan, Iranian state media reports. Follow for live updates.

Negotiations began between the United States and Iran after progress in earlier indirect discussions. Iran’s IRNA news agency said on Saturday three-party talks with the U.S., Iran and Pakistan had begun after a reduction in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon and other preconditions being met.

White House officials said they were skeptical that the talks could immediately reopen ​the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran's lead negotiators threw the talks into doubt by saying they could not even begin without commitments on Lebanon and sanctions.

Negotiations began between the United States and Iran after progress in earlier indirect discussions. Iran’s IRNA news agency said on Saturday three-party talks with the U.S., Iran and Pakistan had begun after a reduction in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon and other preconditions being met.

President Donald Trump says the only reason the Iranians are alive today “is to negotiate,” as he sends Vice President JD Vance overseas to work on a resolution to the war

Vice President JD Vance joined U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Pakistan to meet senior Iranian officials for high-stake peace talks.