New round of US-Iran war negotiations possible — as Pakistan host city locks down in preparation

ISLAMABAD — Major hotels are sold out for reservations this week and some transportation and other services have shut down in and near Pakistan’s capital city on Sunday, as the world waits in hope for a successful second round of peace talks between Iran and the US to take place.

Islamabad Police on Sunday announced that traffic routes had been altered in preparation for the arrival of unnamed official delegations — with the city shutting down all streets near where the last round of in-person peace talks took place last weekend.

“Due to the arrival of foreign delegations in Islamabad, Red Zone and Extended Red Zone will remain completely closed for all kinds of traffic,” it said in a post to X. “Citizens are advised to use alternate routes and cooperate with traffic police to ensure smooth flow and security.”

Neither the US or Iran — nor mediator Pakistan — have publicly confirmed that Washington and Tehran will again meet for further peace talks to end the seven-week-long war, but the signs of an impending gathering are stacking up.

All rooms at Islamabad’s luxury Movenpick, which hosted hundreds of local and international journalists during last weekend’s talks, had no rooms available in the coming days. And the city’s Serena Hotel — home to the US-Iran negotiations — is no longer taking reservations.

Additionally, current guests at the Serena and Marriott Hotel in Islamabad were asked to find alternative accommodations beginning Sunday night.

What’s more, the city of Islamabad and nearby Rawalpindi announced on Sunday that they were shutting down some forms of transportation for the foreseeable future.

“Heavy transport and public transport in the city are being suspended until further orders,” Islamabad’s district administration announced in a post to X. “Citizens are earnestly requested to cooperate with the security agencies. Thank you.”

While the Pakistani government has been passing messages between Washington and Tehran since the first round of talks ended on April 12, Iranian officials have suggested that in-person, direct talks with the US have been the most productive toward ending the conflict.

“In mediated negotiations, misunderstandings sometimes arose, such as on the issue of asset release,” Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said, according to a post by the Iranian embassy in India. “But in direct talks, we reached a clearer mutual understanding.”

While a date has not been announced for round two, US, Iranian and Pakistani sources have all indicated discussions could take place as soon as Tuesday.

It takes at least a full day to travel from the United States to Pakistan on most commercial airlines.

Even Air Force Two took roughly 17 hours to transport Vice President JD Vance and the rest of the American delegation to Islamabad on April 11.

President Trump has previously indicated he would be open to coming to Islamabad, but said he would not come until a deal is ready to be signed.

It remains unclear who from the United States may come to Islamabad should a second round of negotiations occur.

Trump last week suggested a reporter from The Post should stay in Islamabad in expectation that “something could be happening” in the Pakistani capital city related to the peace negotiations.

The White House did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.