The White House announced on Wednesday that Vice President JD Vance will lead a US delegation to Islamabad for a first round of talks with Iranian officials, which are scheduled to begin on Saturday. This diplomatic engagement follows an invitation from Pakistan's prime minister and is supported by a two-week ceasefire intended to facilitate a window for de-escalation. While US President Donald Trump has conditioned the truce on the "complete, immediate and safe opening" of the Strait of Hormuz – even offering US assistance to manage maritime traffic buildup – Iran's foreign minister stated that his country's military will coordinate vessel passage through the strategic waterway for the duration of the ceasefire.