As Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday with a senior delegation, Iranian officials were quick to confirm that there would be no direct talks between Tehran and Washington this time. Pakistan is set to act as a mediator, conveying’s Iran’s concerns to the United States through an indirect channel.
According to officials, Araghchi is expected to meet Pakistan Parime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir during the visit. Araghchchi had confirmed a diplomatic tour covering Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow, indicating renewed engagement.
Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, shared pictures of the arrival of Araghchi and the Iranian delegation on X. He was seen receiving the delegation with Field Marshal Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Head of the Centre for Public Diplomacy and spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baqaei, clarified on X that the delegation had arrived in Islamabad for an official visit and that no meeting was planned between Iran and the United States.
“We arrive in Islamabad, Pakistan, for an official visit. FM Araghchi will be meeting with Pakistani high-level officials in concert with their ongoing mediation & good offices for ending American imposed war of aggression and the restitution of peace in our region. No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US. Iran’s observations would be conveyed to Pakistan,” he wrote.
However, Pakistan officials said Islamabad had been making efforts to bring both countries back to a second round of talks and reopen discussions.
US delegation to arrive in Islamabad
The United States is also planning to send a delegation to Islamabad, being represented by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the news, stating that the talks would be conducted directly but facilitated by Pakistan. She informed that Vice President JD Vance would be engaged from Washington, coordinating with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the national security team.
Trump’s concerns
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Iran was making an offer to meet US demands.
“They’re making an offer and we’ll have to see,” he spoke to Reuters in a phone interview.
He reinforced that the offer must include Iran relinquishing its enriched uranium stockpile and removing its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump added that the US Navy would continue its operations in the Strait until a deal is reached.
