This week, Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, implemented a robust security lockdown as both U.S. and Iranian negotiators were anticipated to return for discussions that had stalled over the weekend.
On Friday, President Trump announced that negotiators were heading back to Pakistan, while Iran’s foreign minister seemed to be en route as well.
During this lockdown, the environment has been intensely quiet—shops are closed, streets are empty, and many office employees are working from home. Tensions are rising among citizens, particularly those struggling to pay rent or find jobs due to the stringent security measures.
“It feels like we’re trapped. We can’t go back to our jobs. Many of us can’t afford housing, so we end up in hostels,” a resident of Islamabad expressed, as reported by a news outlet on Wednesday.
The lockdown has been especially hard to bear since Pakistan’s economy was already under strain due to the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran. For years, the economy had faced challenges even before this crisis. Rapid population growth juxtaposed with poor economic planning has turned Pakistan from a hopeful nation in South Asia to one of the region’s poorest. Some individuals under lockdown shared their concerns in interviews, expressing fear not only of lost wages but also of potential hunger.
On Friday, White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt mentioned that President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, along with Jared Kushner, was set to travel to Islamabad for talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
“We’re hopeful for a productive discussion that might help move towards an agreement,” she stated.
Leavitt added that Vice President J.D. Vance would take a step back initially, though he remains “deeply involved” and ready to visit Pakistan alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio if progress seems likely.
Araghchi confirmed on Friday his intention to travel to Pakistan, accompanied by a small delegation. He also conveyed that he had discussions about regional development and ceasefire issues with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir, a key military figure due to his influence and good rapport with President Trump.
Reports indicate that Foreign Minister Dar highlighted the need for ongoing dialogue to address lingering issues aimed at fostering peace and stability in the region. However, it’s unclear if Araghchi intends to meet directly with U.S. representatives and how long his stay will be, as his schedule supposedly includes visits to Oman and Russia.
Iranian state media indicated that Araghchi’s trip does not involve negotiations with the United States for now; his discussions would be limited to Pakistani officials.
In a recent statement, Pakistan welcomed Trump’s decision to extend the ceasefire to allow for further negotiations. On Friday, Trump announced the extension of a waiver from March that allows foreign vessels to transport oil and gas to the U.S. for 90 more days to alleviate strains on domestic energy markets resulting from the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.
“The Trump Administration has taken steps to mitigate short-term disruptions in energy markets, and this extension will help ensure the supply of essential energy products and agricultural goods,” stated White House Press Secretary Taylor Rogers.
Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth mentioned in a press conference on Friday that Operation Epic Fury had achieved significant military outcomes in just weeks, labeling it a “historic offering to the world from a bold president.”
“This mission continues in this new phase. Iran now has a chance to make smart decisions,” he noted.
Hegseth asserted that the U.S. blockade of Iran is becoming stronger and expanding beyond Iranian territorial waters, with a second aircraft carrier expected to join the operation soon.
“Earlier this week, we intercepted two Iranian ships in the Indo-Pacific that had left Iranian ports before the blockade took effect. They thought they could escape, but that wasn’t the case,” he said.
“No one can cross from the Strait of Hormuz without U.S. Navy approval. For the Tehran regime, the situation is tightening. Everything is being monitored—nothing is coming in, and nothing is coming out. Iran’s military, particularly the Revolutionary Guards, has become akin to a band of pirates,” he added.
Hegseth concluded by saying that Iran has a crucial opportunity for a serious agreement; the ball is in their court.
“They know there’s still room for wise choices. They need to work towards giving up their nuclear weapons in a meaningful and verifiable manner. Otherwise, their already fragile economy will crumble under persistent American pressure,” he cautioned.
