ISLAMABAD — Vice President JD Vance is leading a U.S. delegation in talks with Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan, as the two sides seek a ceasefire after a six-week military campaign in the Middle East. Vance has been collaborating with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are accompanying him to Pakistan, a White House spokeswoman said.

President Donald Trump launched the conflict with Iran in late February. In a 36-hour span, Trump gave Iran one day to strike a deal. In social media posts on Truth Social, Trump warned, "A whole civilisation will die" if Iran refused to cooperate. A ceasefire deal was reached on Tuesday.

"If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we are certainly willing to extend an open hand," Vance told reporters ahead of the trip. Trump expressed confidence in the vice president while leaving the outcome uncertain. "I wish him luck. He's got a big thing," Trump told reporters. "If it doesn't happen, I'm blaming JD Vance. If it does happen, I'm taking full credit," he added. "We'll see how it all turns out," Trump said.

The military campaign has affected the global economy, and Iran has tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz. Some U.S. allies in Europe have opposed the military campaign against Iran and have been reluctant to assist in reopening the strait. The Israeli government has expressed wariness about a region-wide ceasefire.

Vance, a former Marine who served in Iraq, has been a vocal opponent of U.S. entanglements abroad. Jeff Rathke, president of the American-German Institute, said, "Vance has signalled a desire for restraint in American foreign policy. That's pretty hard to square with the American war against Iran."

Since taking office, Vance has participated in high-profile meetings with foreign policy leaders in the Oval Office and across Europe and Asia. At the Munich Security Conference last year, he gave a speech criticizing Europe's handling of immigration and free speech. During an Oval Office meeting, Vance accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of not being sufficiently grateful for U.S. aid. Some supporters of the MAGA movement who oppose interventions abroad are expected to watch Vance's trip to gauge his future foreign policy direction if he runs for president in 2028.