US, Iran Set to Resume Talks in Islamabad as Soon as Saturday, Trump Says Hormuz Will Reopen

The US and Iran are poised to resume talks as soon as Saturday afternoon in Islamabad, Pakistan. But last-minute uncertainty is mounting over whether the meeting will go ahead because Iran is sticking to its preconditions.

Iran is prepared to start talks with the US from Saturday afternoon if its conditions are accepted, Tasnim News Agency reported on Aug. 10. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament, arrived in Islamabad a day earlier with a senior delegation. The group included the foreign minister, the secretary-general of the defense commission and the central bank governor, along with other senior political, military and economic officials.

Ghalibaf said Iran was ready to strike a deal if the US offers a sincere agreement and guarantees Iran’s rights. He added that Iran is approaching the talks in good faith but does not trust the US.

He also said Washington had previously agreed to unfreeze Iranian assets and uphold a ceasefire in Lebanon. The talks will not begin until those commitments are carried out, he added.

The US did not immediately comment on Iran’s demands. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, however, delivered hard-line messages.

In a social media post, Trump said Iran appeared not to realize it had no cards other than using international waterways to threaten the world. He added that the only reason Iran has survived until now is to negotiate.

Trump also expressed confidence that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen soon. “The Strait of Hormuz will open soon,” he wrote. “One way or another, the strait will be opened.”

Vance, who is set to lead the US delegation, also spoke aboard a flight to Pakistan. He said he expected a positive outcome, but if Iran tried to deceive the US, the negotiating team would not be accommodating.