JD Vance has boarded Air Force Two for high-stakes talks with Iran in Pakistan, warning the US will extend an “open hand” but won’t be “played” by the delegation
US Vice-President JD Vance has scrambled Air Force Two as he heads into a pressure-cooker summit with Iranian officials in Pakistan. The VP was spotted boarding the government jet today, bound for Islamabad, where he is set to lead a high-powered US delegation in a bid to cool boiling tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking to reporters on the tarmac, a defiant Vance made it clear that Washington is ready to talk, but won’t be taken for a ride.
The Vice-President revealed he is heading into the lions’ den with a strict set of guidelines issued directly by President Donald Trump.
Addressing the upcoming negotiations, Vance said: “We’re looking forward to the negotiations.”
However, the olive branch came with a razor-sharp caveat. He warned that the US is willing to “extend the open hand” provided the Iranians act “in good faith.”
In a blunt message to Tehran, he added that if they “try to play us,” the US won’t be receptive.
Vance isn’t flying solo into the diplomatic firestorm and is backed by a heavyweight team including Jared Kushne and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the crunch talks are slated to kick off this Saturday. While the Americans are en route, Islamabad is reportedly still on tenterhooks waiting for the Iranian delegation to touch down.
The stakes couldn’t be higher after aconditional two-week ceasefire was hammered out on Tuesday, first teased by Trump on social media before being confirmed by Tehran.
The fragile peace relies on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a total halt on strikes against Iranian territory.
But the deal is already showing cracks. While a long-term resolution remains a mystery, the situation in Lebanon has become a major sticking point.
The US and Israel have maintained that Lebanon is excluded from the current truce, but Pakistan – acting as the middleman – insists it is part of the package.
Adding to the chaos, the Lebanese president’s office told the BBC they will only sit down for their own talks with Israel if a ceasefire is properly implemented.
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