Islamabad Peace Talks Round Two: Who Are The Key US, Iran Negotiators?

Last Updated:April 20, 2026, 23:02 IST

Vice President JD Vance is likely to lead the US side, while Iran’s delegation is expected to be headed by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Despite mixed signals from both Iran and the United States, and continued uncertainty over Tehran’s participation, speculation is mounting over whether the two sides can reach a ceasefire this week.

The truce appeared under strain after the US said it had seized an Iranian cargo ship accused of attempting to breach its naval blockade, prompting Tehran to warn of retaliation.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that Washington had shown it was “not serious" about pursuing diplomacy and that Tehran would not change its demands.

However, as the day progressed, unnamed Iranian officials told Reuters and the New York Times that Tehran is considering attending talks with the United States in Pakistan, while stressing that no final decision has been made.

Adding to the uncertainty, a Reuters report said Vice President JD Vance remained in the United States, contradicting earlier reports that he was already en route to Islamabad.

With the two-week ceasefire nearing expiry, a senior Iranian official said Tehran was “positively reviewing" participation in the talks. The shift in tone contrasts with earlier statements ruling out attendance and vowing retaliation.

The official added that Pakistan, acting as mediator, is making efforts to end the US blockade and facilitate Iran’s participation.

The US Delegation

• JD Vance: The US Vice President is expected to lead Washington’s delegation in the second round of talks. His participation has been marked by conflicting signals, with President Donald Trump initially suggesting he would not travel due to security concerns, before the White House indicated he would be part of the team. During the previous round, Vance said the US was seeking a “fundamental commitment" from Iran that it would not develop a nuclear weapon, adding that such assurances had not yet been received.
• Jared Kushner: Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and longtime adviser, has played a key role in past diplomatic initiatives, including backchannel negotiations in West Asia. He was one of the chief architect of the Abraham Accords, which normalised ties between Israel and multiple Arab states, and led broader US engagement in West Asia during Trump’s first term. He cultivated close ties with Gulf leadership, particularly Saudi Arabia, and advanced a diplomacy model centred on direct leadership engagement and economic incentives.
• Steve Witkoff: Steve Witkoff, serving as special envoy, has been closely involved in shaping the US negotiating position. he has emerged as a behind-the-scenes interlocutor in recent US outreach across West Asia, working on Gaza ceasefire efforts and broader regional de-escalation. A real estate developer with close personal ties to Donald Trump, he has been deployed in sensitive backchannel roles

The Iranian Delegation

• Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf: Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has emerged as the lead negotiator. A prominent figure in Iran’s political establishment for decades, the 64-year-old has taken on a central role in both the war effort and the diplomatic push. He led Iran’s delegation in the previous round of talks in Islamabad, where he met Vance amid efforts to secure a ceasefire.
• Abbas Araghchi: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, a veteran diplomat, has been a key voice articulating Tehran’s position. Appointed in 2024, he has defended Iran’s stance in multiple international engagements and media interactions, including with US outlets.

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