All eyes are on Pakistan as Iranian and US delegations gather for crucial talks aimed at securing a permanent ceasefire.
But even before negotiations begin, a powerful image from inside the Iranian delegation’s aircraft has captured global attention.
The delegation, led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, arrived in Islamabad on Friday. Shortly after landing, Qalibaf shared a photograph on the social media platform X that quickly drew widespread reaction.
The image shows rows of empty aeroplane seats filled not with passengers, but with portraits of children killed in the Minab school attack. Alongside the photographs were personal items, including school bags and flowers – turning the aircraft cabin into a moving memorial.
In his post, Qalibaf wrote: “My companions on the flight, Minab 168,” referring to the victims he was honouring.
According to reports, more than 150 students were killed on February 28 when a primary school in Minab, southern Iran, was struck during the early phase of the conflict involving US and Israeli forces. The incident remains one of the deadliest attacks of the war and has drawn international concern.
By carrying the portraits to Pakistan, Qalibaf appeared to send a symbolic message ahead of negotiations – that the human cost of the conflict cannot be separated from the political process.
The talks in Islamabad are expected to focus on turning a fragile ceasefire into a lasting agreement. The outcome could have major implications for stability in the Middle East and for global energy markets, particularly as tensions have disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
For many observers, however, it is the image from inside the plane – quiet, solemn, and deeply personal – that now defines the moment, highlighting the stakes of the negotiations beyond geopolitics.