The five big sticking points in US-Iran talks

The five big sticking points in US-Iran talks1 hour agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GooglePaul AdamsDiplomatic CorrespondentGetty Images/ReutersUS Vice President JD Vance is to lead the US team during the talks, while reports suggest Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will co-lead Iran's delegationThe venue is ready, the guards are in place and the curb along the approach road has received a fresh coat of yellow and black paint.Islamabad awaits.As hosts of vital US-Iranian talks, the Pakistani government officials are making optimistic noises, emphasising that unlike many others, they enjoy the trust of both sides.The man heading the US delegation, Vice President JD Vance, is also sounding upbeat."If the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith," he said before leaving the US, "we're certainly willing to extend the open hand."But there was a warning too."If they're going to try to play us, then they're going to find the negotiating team is not that receptive."It's fair to say that a whole mountain of obstacles lies ahead.ReutersA two-day holiday was declared in Pakistan's capital ahead of the talksLebanonIsrael's ongoing campaign against Iran's Lebanese ally, armed group Hezbollah, threatens to derail the talks before they've even started."The continuation of these actions will render negotiations meaningless," Iran's president, Masoud Pezeshkian, posted on X."Our fingers remain on the trigger. Iran will never abandon its Lebanese sisters and brothers."Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, says there is "no ceasefire" when it comes to Hezbollah, but Israel's repeated warning to residents of Beirut's southern suburbs to evacuate has yet to result in any further action.Donald Trump says Israel's action in Lebanon will now be "a little more low key", and the US State Department says direct talks between Israel an...