Islamabad: A temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran has created a narrow diplomatic opening, with upcoming talks in Pakistan set to test whether both sides can find a way out of the conflict. A two-week ceasefire was announced Tuesday, less than two hours before US President Donald Trump's deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz was set to expire. Washington later confirmed it would suspend attacks on Iran to allow diplomacy to move forward, pausing a war that since Feb. 28 has shaken Gulf security, disrupted oil flows and rattled global markets.

According to Anadolu Agency, analysts have indicated that from the outset, the ceasefire was fragile, with warring parties accusing each other of violations. A new deadline now looms, with tensions and conflicting signals from different actors. "Any deal will depend on whether both sides see sufficient benefit in deescalation to overcome deep mistrust and competing strategic objectives," Sina Toossi, a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, told the agency. The upcoming talks represent a moment shaped as much by the limits of military escalation as by diplomacy.

The White House announced that Vice President JD Vance will lead a US delegation to Islamabad for negotiations with Iran this weekend. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner will also be part of the US negotiating team, while Iranian representatives are expected to include Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf. Reports suggest the possibility of direct talks between senior officials from both countries-a rare development after years of indirect engagement.

Toossi noted that core issues are likely to include sanctions relief, particularly on oil exports, security guarantees, and regional escalation, including maritime access and the Strait of Hormuz. Iran will pursue tangible economic concessions and assurances to break the cycle of pressure and conflict. The United States will seek to secure limits on Iran's nuclear and missile programs and reduce the risk of further regional destabilization. Kamran Bokhari, a senior fellow at the Middle East Policy Council, said US demands will likely include zero uranium enrichment and curbs on Iran's support for regional groups.

Analysts warn that continued violence and disputes over the scope of the ceasefire could undermine the talks. While Pakistan initially extended the ceasefire to Lebanon, Washington and Tel Aviv later excluded Lebanon from the agreement. Iranian ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, stated on social media platform X that despite skepticism due to repeated ceasefire violations, the Iranian delegation would arrive in Islamabad for 'serious talks based on 10 points proposed by Iran.'

Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary trusted by both Washington and Tehran. Former ambassador Asif Durrani noted Pakistan's unique position in facilitating the ceasefire due to its ties with regional and global powers, including Gulf states, China, and Russia. Analyst Kamran Yousaf highlighted Pakistan's intensified diplomatic efforts as the conflict escalated, pushing the warring parties to find middle ground and facilitating the temporary reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran in exchange for US openness to discuss the 10-point plan.