DID Press: High-stakes negotiations between Iran and the United States are set to begin today in the capital of Pakistan, with both sides deploying the most extensive and diverse diplomatic teams seen in recent years.
In this context, Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, head of the Iqbal Think Tank, emphasized in his analysis that Iran has demonstrated readiness for strategic decision-making by dispatching what he described as the most comprehensive negotiating delegation in its history. The Iranian team is led by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and includes Abbas Araghchi handling political affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi overseeing legal matters, Abdolnaser Hemmati responsible for economic issues, along with 71 senior experts.
On the U.S. side, the presence of JD Vance at the head of Washington’s delegation has significantly increased the political weight of the meeting. Former members of the U.S. negotiating team, including Jared Kushner, are reportedly operating under his direct supervision.
According to the schedule, the talks are expected to begin between 16:00 and 17:00 local time in Pakistan. By hosting the meeting, Pakistan is reinforcing its position as one of the most active diplomatic actors in the region.
Bagheri further argued that countries in the Persian Gulf region have reached the conclusion that the United States no longer possesses its previous capacity to protect their infrastructure—an assessment he says has contributed to closer defense cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
Referring to the strategic thinking of Henry Kissinger, he noted that in an asymmetric confrontation, Iran can be considered victorious simply by avoiding defeat against a superpower.