Islamabad hotels, transportation close Sunday as city braces for possible round two of negotiations

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ISLAMABAD — Major hotels are sold out for reservations this week and some transportation and other services have shut down in and near Pakistan’s capital city on Sunday, as the world waits in hope for a second round of peace talks between Iran and the US to take place.

Neither the US or Iran — nor mediator Pakistan — have publicly confirmed that Washington and Tehran will again meet for further peace talks to end the seven-week-long war, but the signs of an impending gathering are stacking up.

All rooms at Islamabad’s luxury Movenpick, which hosted hundreds of local and international journalists during last weekend’s talks, had no rooms available in the coming days. And the city’s Serena Hotel — home to the US-Iran negotiations — is no longer taking reservations.

The Marriott Hotel in Islamabad sits in front of the Parliament House and Supreme Court of Pakistan on April 18, 2026. REUTERS

Additionally, current guests at the Serena and Marriott Hotel in Islamabad were asked to find alternative accommodations beginning Sunday night.

What’s more, the city of Islamabad and nearby Rawalpindi announced on Sunday that they were shutting down some forms of transportation for the foreseeable future.

“Heavy transport and public transport in the city are being suspended until further orders,” Islamabad’s district administration announced in a post to X. “Citizens are earnestly requested to cooperate with the security agencies. Thank you.”

While a date has not been announced for round two, US, Iranian and Pakistani sources have all indicated discussions could take place as soon as Tuesday.

A vehicle goes through a police checkpoint in Islamabad, Pakistan, as the city prepares for round two of negotiations between the US and Iran on April 19, 2026. REUTERS
Vice President JD Vance speaks at a press conference alongside Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff after meeting with Iranian and Pakistani officials in Islamabad on April 12, 2026. via REUTERS

It takes at least a full day to travel from the United States to Pakistan on most commercial airlines.

Even Air Force Two took roughly 17 hours to transport Vice President JD Vance and the rest of the American delegation to Islamabad on April 11.

President Trump has previously indicated he would be open to coming to Islamabad, but said he would not come until a deal is ready to be signed.

It remains unclear who from the United States may come to Islamabad should a second round of negotiations occur.

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