Trump to Visit Pakistan? Islamabad Under Lockdown for US-Iran Peace Talks

Strict security measures were suddenly implemented in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, on Sunday. Several major steps have been taken in the city regarding a potential second round of peace talks between the United States and Iran. Although the US, Iran, or Pakistan have not yet officially confirmed this meeting, the situation clearly indicates that preparations for high-level discussions are underway. A security team for a high-level US delegation has arrived in Islamabad. US President Donald Trump has also stated that he might come to Islamabad, but only if a situation arises where an agreement can be signed. It's currently unclear which representatives from the US side will be included this time.

Arrival of US Delegation and Logistics

Traveling from the US to Pakistan typically takes about a day. On April 11, it took US Vice President JD Vance approximately 17 hours to reach Islamabad via Air Force Two. According to reports, two US cargo planes have landed at the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi. This suggests that a large US delegation is about to arrive in Islamabad, as such aircraft are used to bring essential items before the arrival of VVIPs, while uS Vice President JD Vance also landed at Nur Khan Airbase on April 12 for peace negotiations.

Traffic Restrictions in Islamabad and Rawalpindi

Currently, the Islamabad Police has made major changes to the traffic system. Due to the arrival of the foreign delegation, the Red Zone and the Extended Red Zone have been completely closed. All movement in these areas has been prohibited, while citizens have been advised to use alternative routes and cooperate with security. Transport services have also been suspended in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, located 15 km away. The Rawalpindi District Administration ordered a ban on all types of transport, though it later clarified that private vehicles would be exempt. Meanwhile, the Islamabad District Administration has banned the movement of heavy and public transport until further notice, causing significant difficulties for the public. It's reported that these security restrictions could remain in place for up to 10 days.

Hotel Bookings Suspended and Guests Evacuated

Major hotels in Islamabad have refused to take any further bookings, while the luxury Movenpick Hotel has no rooms available for this week; during the previous negotiations, this hotel was filled with media personnel. Similarly, the Serena Hotel is no longer accepting new bookings. The first round of talks between the US and Iran took place at the Serena. Plus, guests staying at the Serena and Marriott hotels have been asked to move to other locations starting Sunday night. This clearly indicates that these hotels are being cleared for a specific purpose.

Timeline for the Next Round of Talks

The first round of negotiations concluded on April 12. Since then, Pakistan has been facilitating the exchange of messages between the US and Iran. Iranian officials have stated that direct talks have been more effective, as the involvement of a third party often leads to misunderstandings. While the date for the second round of talks has not been finalized, reports suggest the meeting could take place by Tuesday.