As the Pakistani capital Islamabad prepares to host high-stakes negotiations between the United States and Iran, The Independent has spotlighted the growing influence of Egypt alongside Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey as key regional actors reshaping the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape.
According to the British newspaper, the four nations have played a pivotal role as primary diplomatic conduits between Washington and Tehran, signaling what could be the early contours of a new regional order led by these emerging power brokers.
Cairo recently took part in a four-party meeting hosted in Islamabad, alongside Riyadh, Ankara, and Islamabad, which laid the groundwork for a new negotiation channel between the United States and Iran. The initiative underscores Egypt’s renewed diplomatic weight as it intensifies efforts to mediate in one of the region’s most volatile rivalries.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that delegations from both sides are set to arrive in Islamabad to continue the talks, amid heightened security and logistical preparations by Pakistani authorities. The White House announced that formal negotiations are scheduled to begin Saturday morning local time.
The U.S. delegation is expected to be led by Vice President J. D. Vance, accompanied by senior envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential advisor Jared Kushner. On the Iranian side, the delegation is anticipated to be headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
It remains unclear whether representatives of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has been central to Tehran’s military response during the conflict, will participate in the talks.
Prime Minister Sharif is expected to formally host the negotiations, holding preliminary separate meetings with each delegation ahead of the main session. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who has been deeply involved in shuttle diplomacy throughout the crisis, is set to facilitate the discussions.
Current plans indicate that U.S. and Iranian delegations will remain in separate rooms, with Pakistani officials relaying messages between them, an arrangement reflecting the fragile trust between the two sides.
The participation of Vice President Vance marks a notable development. Iranian officials have expressed skepticism about continuing engagement with Witkoff and Kushner, referencing earlier rounds of negotiations in Muscat and Geneva that coincided with U.S. military actions. In contrast, Vance is viewed in Tehran as more open to de-escalation, given his cautious stance on prolonged American military involvement in the Middle East.
The talks have drawn intense international interest, with more than 30 visa requests submitted by global media organizations and at least 20 journalists approved to cover the negotiations. Officials also confirmed the arrival of a 30-member U.S. security team in Islamabad.
In anticipation of the high-level diplomatic event, local authorities declared a public holiday on Thursday and Friday in Islamabad, a measure frequently employed to ensure security during sensitive international engagements.
As negotiations unfold, the emerging alignment among Egypt and key regional players suggests a shifting balance of influence, one that could redefine diplomatic pathways in the Middle East and shape the trajectory of U.S.-Iran relations for years to come.
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