Vance, Witkoff & Kushner Depart for Islamabad; Iran Calls Participation 'Undecided'

Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and senior adviser Jared Kushner departed for Islamabad, Pakistan on April 21 (Day 53) to lead the second round of US-Iran peace talks, with Vance expected to arrive late morning on April 22. However, Iran's Foreign Ministry dismissed the delegation's travel as 'a media game' and stated that 'no decision has been made' on whether Iran would participate. Iran's officials reiterated they would not negotiate 'under the shadow of threats' and demanded the US lift the naval blockade as a precondition. Pakistan's Prime Minister Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar continued intensive shuttle diplomacy between Tehran and the US delegation, racing to salvage talks before the April 22 ceasefire expiration. Pakistan closed roads and deployed heavy security near the Islamabad Marriott and Serena hotels in preparation for the US delegation's arrival. The US-Iran ceasefire, which began April 8 and expires Wednesday April 22, remains intact but was described by analysts as 'hanging by a thread.'