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No delegation from Iran visits Islamabad, state television says, as talks speculation grows

Apr 21, 2026, 1:11 AM

Police officers stand guard at a checkpoint ahead of the second round of negotiations between the U...

Police officers stand guard at a checkpoint ahead of the second round of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

(AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian state television on Tuesday issued an on-screen alert saying that “no delegation from Iran has visited Islamabad … so far” as speculation about possible talks with the United States grows.

The on-screen alert likely reflects the internal debate ongoing within Iran’s theocracy as it weighs how to respond to the U.S. Navy’s seizure of an Iranian container ship over the weekend.

Iranian state TV long has been controlled by hard-liners within Iran’s theocracy.

So far, no official has acknowledged that a delegation will be heading to Islamabad, where officials have been on standby for days now for the possible talks.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead an American team to the talks. Iran has offered no word on who could lead its delegation. Last time, parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf led the Iranian side.

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No delegation from Iran visits Islamabad, state television says, as talks speculation grows