The Day: April 17, 2026

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:00:00 -0500

The United States and Iran are talking. In person, in the same room, in Islamabad. It is the first time American and Iranian officials have conducted direct, face-to-face negotiations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The talks began on April 11, mediated by Pakistan, and they are now entering their second week, NPR reported. The two-week ceasefire that made them possible expires April 22. Five days from now.

Vice President JD Vance leads the American delegation, joined by special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner. The Iranian delegation of seventy-one members is led by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to Al Jazeera. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is mediating. A CBS News report from the talks said that no agreements had been made as of the opening session, CBS News reported.

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The Day: April 17, 2026