US and Iran hold talks in Islamabad as Pakistan seeks to broker peace deal

JD Vance leads American delegation while Iran's negotiators headed up by Iran's parliamentary speaker

Peace talks between Iran and the US began in Islamabad this afternoon, with senior negotiators from both countries meeting face to face at the highest level for the first time since 1979, in the presence of mediators from Pakistan.

Pakistani state TV said US and Iranian officials were sitting directly at the same table" - which was later confirmed by the White House - and discussions were beginning in a positive atmosphere, despite fighting continuing in Lebanon.