Kamal Ghorui
Amid ongoing efforts to de-escalate the Middle East conflict, US vice president JD Vance may travel to Pakistan later this week for talks aimed at finding an off-ramp to the war with Iran, according to a CNN report citing administration officials.The proposed visit comes as the Trump administration explores backchannel diplomacy with Tehran, with Pakistan and Turkey emerging as possible venues for discussions. Officials told CNN that preparations are underway for a potential meeting involving Vance and other senior US representatives, though the timing, location and participants remain fluid.
The development follows indications that Iranian representatives are reluctant to engage with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and may prefer to negotiate through Vance. US President Donald Trump said earlier that Vance, secretary of state Marco Rubio, Kushner and Witkoff are all involved in the ongoing diplomatic efforts.However, the White House has downplayed suggestions that Vance’s role marks any shift in strategy. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “I don’t think anything has changed. The vice president has always been a key member, the president’s right-hand man and a key member of the president’s national security team. He’s been part of these discussions throughout this entire course of the administration.”She added that President Trump seeks Vance’s counsel “on all matters, both foreign and domestic.”Leavitt declined to disclose details about the Iranian counterparts involved in the talks, saying, “We’re not gonna get into the details of these negotiations and conversations that continue to take place. As, of course, you can imagine, they are very sensitive diplomatic discussions.” She reiterated that discussions are ongoing even as the US maintains military pressure, warning that if “Iran fails to accept the reality of the current moment,” Trump “is prepared to unleash hell.”Pakistan has signalled its willingness to facilitate talks. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said Islamabad is ready to support “meaningful and conclusive talks,” with reports suggesting the country is positioning itself as a venue for negotiations. A Guardian report cited Pakistani officials as saying a meeting could take place as early as this week.At the same time, regional actors have urged caution. According to CNN, Gulf allies have privately warned the US against escalating the conflict further, particularly against any move to deploy ground troops or seize strategic locations such as Kharg Island, citing risks of wider retaliation and prolonged instability.The diplomatic push comes alongside continued military buildup, with reports that around 1,000 US troops from the 82nd Airborne Division could be deployed to the region. With both diplomatic and military tracks advancing simultaneously, the prospects for talks remain uncertain as the conflict continues unabated into its fourth week.
