American envoys landed in Islamabad, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived too. All the conditions for historic negotiations - and yet Tehran says: no direct talks. Kushner and Witkoff will wait in a hotel, Iran will speak only through Pakistan. Diplomacy or theatre?

The White House claims today's talks are happening at Iran's request. Tehran said the exact opposite - that it never requested a meeting and there will be no direct contact with American representatives. Two contradictory versions, one Islamabad under security lockdown, suspended public transport, and closed businesses.

President Trump earlier today stated he expects Iran to offer terms that meet US demands. That is a big claim about a meeting that - according to Tehran - technically doesn't exist. Vice President Vance is on standby, ready to fly to Islamabad if initial contacts show progress.

Behind the scenes, the numbers speak for themselves. Before the conflict, around 130 ships transited the Strait of Hormuz daily - on Friday there were only five. Oil prices jumped 16 percent in just one week. The region is burning, markets are trembling, and in Pakistan people are negotiating that they are not negotiating.

Araghchi's plans do not stop in Islamabad - he plans visits to Oman and Russia as well, to align positions. Neither side publicly acknowledges making concessions. Does anyone really believe this indirect diplomacy will bring peace - or is it just a way for both sides to save face while the world waits?