World April 20, 2026 11:20 AM

Vance Remains in U.S.; U.S. Delegation Yet to Depart for Pakistan as Iran Attendance Uncertain

Plans for follow-up negotiations ahead of a soon-to-expire ceasefire remain unsettled as U.S. officials prepare to travel to Islamabad

By Caleb Monroe
Vance Remains in U.S.; U.S. Delegation Yet to Depart for Pakistan as Iran Attendance Uncertain

Vice President JD Vance is still in the United States and has not left for Pakistan, two individuals familiar with the situation said. The White House intends to send a delegation to Islamabad for additional talks before a ceasefire expires, but Iran has not committed to attending. Reports that Vance and other senior U.S. figures were already en route have not been confirmed by U.S. officials.

Key Points

  • Vice President JD Vance is still in the United States and has not departed for Pakistan, according to a person familiar with the matter.
  • The U.S. intends to send a delegation to Islamabad for further talks before a ceasefire is due to expire; a second source said the delegation plans to travel soon but has not left.
  • Iran is reportedly weighing whether to attend the Pakistan-hosted peace talks, but a senior Iranian official said no decision has been made.

Vice President JD Vance remains in the United States and has not yet departed for Pakistan, a person familiar with the situation said. The timing of a second round of negotiations with Iran is unclear as U.S. officials coordinate travel and as Tehran considers whether to take part in further talks.

President Donald Trump has indicated he will dispatch a U.S. delegation to Pakistan to hold additional discussions before a ceasefire is due to expire in the coming days. A senior Iranian official has said Iran is weighing participation in the peace talks, but that no final decision has been reached.

A second individual familiar with U.S. planning said the delegation has not yet left the United States, though officials plan to travel to Islamabad soon. Earlier reporting had relayed that the President, in an interview, said that Vance, White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were on their way to the talks. Those three took part in the initial round of negotiations aimed at ending hostilities that began following U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28.

What is known

  • Vance has not departed for Pakistan, according to a person familiar with the matter.
  • The administration intends to send a delegation to Islamabad before a ceasefire is set to expire.
  • Iran is considering attending the talks but has not made a decision, according to a senior Iranian official.
  • Reports that key U.S. envoys were already en route have not been corroborated by U.S. officials familiar with the delegation's movements.

Detail and open questions

Officials say travel plans are in place but have not been executed. The precise schedule for the delegation's departure and the outcome of any additional negotiations remain uncertain. Likewise, Iran's eventual choice to participate in the Pakistan-hosted talks has not been finalized, leaving the prospect of a second negotiating session unresolved.


Implications for observers

The situation remains fluid: U.S. officials are preparing to travel, key participants from the first round are reported to be involved, and Iran is still considering its attendance. The combination of pending travel and no formal commitment from Tehran means follow-up talks are not guaranteed to proceed as previously suggested.

Risks

  • Uncertainty over whether Iran will attend the follow-up negotiations - impacts diplomatic progress and defense-related planning.
  • Possibility that the delegation's travel could be delayed or that the talks may not proceed as expected - affects diplomatic continuity and could influence geopolitical risk assessments.
  • Imminent expiration of the ceasefire while attendance and travel remain unresolved - increases the chance of renewed hostilities or a lapse in de-escalation efforts, relevant to defense and energy market monitoring.

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