Pakistan tightens security in capital ahead of expected 2nd round of US-Iran talks

Pakistan on Monday continued to tighten security in its capital Islamabad ahead of the expected second round of U.S.-Iran talks despite no indication that Iran has changed its mind about staying out of the negotiations with the United States.

Pakistan has placed the capital city and the neighboring garrison city of Rawalpindi on high security alert. On Sunday evening, the Pakistani government announced that ministries, government offices, and related agencies inside the Red Zone would shift to remote work on Monday.

According to police sources, some 20,000 police personnel, supported by hundreds of elite commandos, including snipers, have been deployed on security duty across the twin cities. Similar arrangements were made before the first round of peace talks.

Authorities have also suspended all public and goods transport in Rawalpindi and Islamabad as part of the security plan, while most entry points to the Red Zone have been sealed.

Major hotels, including Serena Hotel and Marriott Hotel, have asked guests to vacate after the government requisitioned the properties for the talks. Hostels and guest houses in the capital were also directed to close until further notice.

Analysts say Pakistan is still working in an effort to bring Washington and Tehran back to the negotiation table.

Pakistan on Sunday abruptly cleared potential venues for the next round of talks, including the Serena Hotel -- a five-star property in the Red Zone -- where the first round was held. Later that evening, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a 45-minute phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Outside the Jinnah Convention Centre, which served as the media center for the first round of U.S.-Iran talks, the official backdrop for the negotiations has been put up again. Security personnel at the entrance confirmed that the media center is being rebuilt.

All signs suggest that Pakistan is making maximum preparations for the new round of diplomatic talks.

However, compared to the high-profile approach before the first round of talks, Pakistan's latest security measures, while more extensive, have been accompanied by a notably lower public profile. As of now, there has been no further word on the approval of press credentials.

According to Iranian media, this contrast sends a clear message: Pakistan's role has shifted from "enthusiastic host" to "cautious gatekeeper." Its goal now is to create a tightly controlled, secure, and media-free space where the main protagonists -- the United States and Iran -- can focus on building mutual trust.

On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior commanders, and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East.

A ceasefire between the United States and Iran took effect on April 8. Iranian and U.S. delegations then held talks in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, but no progress was reported.

Pakistan tightens security in capital ahead of expected 2nd round of US-Iran talks

A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday slammed Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te over his latest remarks on cross-Strait relations, accusing him of promoting secessionism and escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said in a press release that Lai's speech marking his second anniversary in office was "filled with lies and deception, hostility and confrontation."

Chen accused Lai of stubbornly adhering to a secessionist stance in pursuit of "Taiwan independence," while exaggerating the so-called threats from the mainland and intensifying confrontation across the Strait.

Lai played an old trick of advocating the secessionist agenda on one hand and, on the other, calling insincerely for dialogue and exchanges with the mainland, attempting to mislead people in Taiwan and deceive the international community, he said.

Chen said that these common tricks have been seen through by more and more Taiwanese people. Their deceptive and provocative actions will be met with firm opposition from compatriots on both sides and the international community, and are doomed to fail.

Reaffirming the mainland's position on the Taiwan question, Chen said Taiwan has never been a country, is not one now, and will never become one in the future.

He described the Taiwan question as a historical issue left over from a Chinese civil war in the 1940s.

No election result in Taiwan could alter the fact that Taiwan is part of China or sever the historical and legal bonds linking the two sides of the Strait, according to Chen.

The mainland would never allow any person or force to pursue secessionist activities under any pretext, he added.

Calling secessionists "the chief culprit" who undermines cross-Strait peace, Chen said the mainland would continue to uphold the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, unite broadly with Taiwan compatriots, combat secessionist activities, and safeguard peace and stability across the Strait.

Central government spokesperson refutes Lai Ching-te's latest remarks, warns against secessionist moves