Security tightened as Islamabad braces for arrival of foreign teams in run-up to anticipated US-Iran talks

“Due to the arrival of foreign delegations in Islamabad, Red Zone and Extended Red Zone will remain completely closed for all kinds of traffic,” the police said in a statement on X.

While the statement did not specify from where the delegations were expected, the move comes as Islamabad gears up for a possible second round of negotiations between the US and Iran.

The Islamabad Police issued an alternate traffic plan for citizens, which it said will remain in place from today till further directives.

Earlier on Sunday, in a televised address, Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said there had been “progress” with Washington but signalled that a final peace deal was “far”.

Historic direct US-Iran talks held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12 had ended without an agreement, but also without a breakdown.

US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the talks days ago, but Washington and Tehran remain in a stand-off over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran again closed the strait on Saturday, saying it would not reopen the maritime trade route until the US ended its blockade of Iranian ports.

However, earlier today, separate advance teams, including security officials, landed at the Nur Khan Airbase and then proceeded to Rawalpindi. Murree Road, which links the twin cities, was closed for traffic in the meantime.

More teams were expected to arrive later in the day.

The Islamabad police and administration have asked the managements of hotels, hostels, inns and guest houses to close their premises and lock the buildings until further orders.

Public and heavy transport were suspended in Islamabad until further orders, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Irfan Nawaz Memon said.

The Rawalpindi district administration also suspended all public and goods transport from Sunday noon till the next directives.

Security had been put on high alert in Rawalpindi on Saturday, with the deployment of over 10,000 police personnel.

As many as 400 elite commandos, including 100 snipers, will be part of the multi-layered security during the arrival and departure of the foreign delegations.

About 7,000 personnel of the Islamabad police and 4,000 of Punjab police, along with 900 Federal Constabulary personnel, are available for security duty in the capital.