Pakistan's hosting of the Islamabad talks was seen as an important initiative for the country, as Pakistan is a close friend of the White House and has warm ties with China and Saudi Arabia. The country sought to increase its clout through the talks, with the arrival of US Vice President JD Vance showing he is stepping up in a foreign policy role. This indicates that he may be more skeptical of the drive to war that led to US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Iran believes that it was deceived in the Oman talks in February prior to the US and Israel attacks on Iran, and views the attacks as a sneak attack. The White House may also use advice from US Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, who is also the US Ambassador to Turkey.