A U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance is set to engage in high-level talks with Iranian representatives in Pakistan, marking the first such meeting since the war began over a month ago. The talks, which have been delayed due to tensions between Israel and Hezbollah militants, are set to test whether they can shore up a fragile ceasefire and pave the way for peace. The Iranian delegation arrived in Islamabad, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who said discussions would only occur if there is an Israeli ceasefire in Lebanon the release of blocked Iranian assets. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the conflict was entering a “difficult phase” as the sides try to shift from a temporary pause in fighting to a more lasting settlement. Israel and Lebanon are also set to have direct negotiations, but Israel's insistence that the ceasefire does not include a pause in its fighting with Hezbollah has threatened to undermine the deal.