US negotiators will request Iran releases its citizens detained in the country during tomorrow’s peace talks, the Washington Post has reported, citing ​people ​briefed on ⁠the ⁠plans. 

The request could be delayed if the talks do not go smoothly, the sources said.

Delegations from Washington and Tehran are meeting in Pakistan for the talks after agreeing to a two-week conditional ceasefire in the war earlier this week, but this has been strained by ongoing fighting between Israel and Lebanon.

Speaking earlier, US vice president JD Vance warned Iran not to “try to play us” at the talks.

The release or exchange of detained citizens was not included in a 10-point plan proposed by Iran – shared by Iranian state media – that was rejected by the US.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed that what Iran released publicly was “much different” to what its officials said to Trump privately. 

JD Vance warns Iran ‘not to play’ in peace talks

JD Vance has briefly spoken with the media prior to boarding his flight to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran.

The US vice president is attending the talks alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

“We’re looking forward to the negotiation. I think it’s going to be positive,” Vance said, adding Trump has given the US delegation some “pretty clear guidelines”.

“As the president of the United States said, if the Iranians are willing to negotiate in good faith, we’re certainly willing to extend the open hand. If they’re going to try to play us, then they’re going to find that the negotiating team is not that receptive.”