US, Iran To Hold Talks In Islamabad Today As Israeli Strikes On Lebanon Threaten Ceasefire: Who's Involved And What To Expect?

US-Iran War: The stage is set for talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad on Friday, but uncertainty continues to hang over the negotiations. A key issue remains whether Lebanon is included in the two-week ceasefire agreement that both sides previously agreed upon.

As Beirut reels from one of its worst attacks from Israel in over 40 years, the Arab country is set to watch the talks closely, aiming to seek support against the ongoing strikes.

Confusion has emerged over Lebanon's inclusion in the US-Iran ceasefire. While Pakistan, in its first statement on the ceasefire, called for a halt in all hostilities, including Lebanon, both the United States and Israel have denied this.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Tel Aviv's position, which is that it will work towards disarming and dismantling Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group operating in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Iran has threatened to withdraw from the ceasefire with the United States and block the Strait of Hormuz if Israel continues its attacks on Lebanon.

As tensions continue to escalate, here's what we know ahead of the highly anticipated talks in Pakistan:

Pakistan To Hold US-Iran Talks In Islamabad On Friday

- Delegations from the United States and Iran will meet in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, on Friday, April 10.

- In the run-up to the talks, Pakistani authorities have declared April 9 and 10 as public holidays in Islamabad as a security measure, with only hospitals, police, and other essential services allowed to operate.

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- According to White House, the US delegation will be led by Vice President JD Vance. He will be accompanied by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner.

- Iran's delegation is expected to be led by Parliament Speaker Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf. However, it remains unclear whether representatives from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will attend.

- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar are expected to host the US-Iran talks.

- The involvement of Field Marshal Asim Munir remains unclear despite speculations that he was involved in the negotiations leading up to the ceasefire announcement.