Pakistan is poised to host high-stakes peace talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad this weekend, positioning itself at the centre of a delicate diplomatic push to stabilise West Asia even as the fragile ceasefire between the two adversaries showed signs of early stress.This came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was seeking direct talks with Beirut, a day after the worst bombardment of the war killed more than 250 people in Lebanon.Top Iranian leaders, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, will likely lead Tehran’s delegation, while the US side will be led by Vice-President JD Vance, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner.The delegations from the rival sides are expected to arrive in Islamabad tonight for the talks. The Pakistan capital has been placed under a security lockdown. Sources said negotiations could begin shortly after both sides assembled, with talks likely to stretch over nearly two weeks as mediators push for a comprehensive agreement.The diplomatic initiative comes against the backdrop of a tenuous two-week ceasefire brokered between Washington and Tehran after 39 days of intense hostilities that had pushed the region to the brink of a wider war.Netanyahu, whose government rebuffed an offer for direct talks with Lebanon last month, on Thursday said in a statement that he had given instructions to start peace talks with Lebanon as soon as possible, which would also include disarming Iran-aligned militant group Hezbollah.Before the formal negotiations could begin in Islamabad, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said Tehran was on the verge of responding militarily to an overnight ceasefire violation, but held back following urgent intervention by Pakistan.Khatibzadeh confirmed that Iran would proceed with the Islamabad talks, underscoring Pakistan’s growing role as a mediator amid rising tensions and competing narratives on the ground.Diplomatic activity in Islamabad has intensified rapidly. A US delegation led by Ambassador Natalie Baker met Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to review logistical and security arrangements for the high-level engagement.Naqvi assured “foolproof security” for all visiting dignitaries, stating that a comprehensive plan had been put in place to safeguard delegations “in every respect”. He confirmed that Vance, Witkoff and Kushner would be among the key American participants, describing them as Pakistan’s “special guests”.The US side, in turn, acknowledged Islamabad’s diplomatic outreach, with Baker appreciating Pakistan’s “sincere” efforts in facilitating dialogue during a volatile phase in the region.Islamabad has been effectively placed under a security lockdown. The authorities have enforced sweeping traffic restrictions, sealed sensitive zones and deployed additional security personnel across the capital. The Red Zone–Islamabad’s high-security administrative district–has been sealed, with restricted access points and enhanced surveillance. A designated hotel within the zone has been cleared and secured exclusively for the visiting delegations.Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement has been central to the current de-escalation framework. Its effort culminated in the announcement of the two-week truce, described by US President Donald Trump as a “double-sided ceasefire”, contingent upon Iran ensuring the safe reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil flows.Before Netanyahu’s go-ahead to talks, Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that Israeli actions risked rendering negotiations “meaningless”, signalling Tehran’s readiness to escalate if violations persisted.Simultaneously, Trump adopted a hardline posture, asserting that US military assets would remain deployed in and around Iran until a “real agreement” was fully implemented. He warned that any breach could trigger a significantly escalated response, stating that “the shooting starts” if commitments were not honoured.