US-Iran talks in Islamabad today: UN welcomes, appeals for peace and permanent agreement

Islamabad/Geneva, April 11 . A meeting is scheduled to be held in Islamabad on Saturday between America and Iran for a ceasefire. America’s Vice President and the Iranian delegation have reached there. Preparations for the meeting have been completed. Strict security arrangements have been made. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the US-Iran talks starting in Islamabad. UN chief’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric gave this information.

“He urges both sides to take advantage of this diplomatic opportunity to move forward in good faith toward a lasting and comprehensive agreement aimed at reducing tensions and preventing a return to hostilities,” spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at the briefing, Xinhua news agency reported. “The Secretary-General reiterates that there is no other viable alternative to the peaceful resolution of international disputes and that this resolution must be in full compliance with international law, including the UN Charter,” Dujarric said.

Dujarric added that the UN chief’s special envoy for the Middle East conflict and its consequences, Jean Arnault, is still present in the region to support diplomatic efforts. A temporary ceasefire was agreed upon early Wednesday between Iran, America and Israel. Despite this, Israel continues its attacks on Lebanon. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that a high-level Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf arrived in Islamabad on Saturday to participate in the upcoming talks with the US.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi is also included in this delegation. Talks between the US and Iran are scheduled to begin on Saturday morning. The talks will take place during the diplomatic period of a two-week conditional ceasefire announced on Tuesday and come more than a month after the start of joint US-Israeli military strikes on Iran.

However, the ceasefire between the US and Iran remains tense as Israel continues to attack Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf say that stopping attacks on Lebanon is an important part of this ceasefire.