Pakistan Hosts Iranians, Awaits US Delegation As Talks Still Uncertain

Iran's foreign minister has arrived in Islamabad as the United States prepares to dispatch senior envoys to Pakistan for what Washington described as a new round of negotiations to end the Iran war, even as Tehran publicly denied any meeting with American officials was planned.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi landed in the Pakistani capital in the early hours of April 25, framing his visit in a post on X as a "timely tour" to coordinate on "bilateral matters" with Pakistani officials before proceeding to Oman and Russia.

“Our neighbors are our priority,” said Araqchi, who is leading the delegation. Parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who led the first round of talks with the US in Pakistan on April 11-12, has not traveled to Islamabad.

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Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei was more explicit, posting on X that "no meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the US," and that Tehran's positions would be "conveyed to Pakistan" rather than delivered directly to American negotiators.

Araqchi met with Pakistani Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and separately with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, though no details of the latter meeting have emerged. In his talks with Munir, Araqchi conveyed Iran's "views and considerations for ending the war" as well as its reservations about US demands, according to Reuters, which cited an unnamed Pakistani source involved in the talks.

Iranian state media said Araqchi and Munir also discussed the latest cease-fire developments and cooperation to "strengthen peace and stability" in the region. Munir expressed gratitude for Iran's trust in Pakistan and pledged to continue mediation efforts "until a result is achieved."

Witkoff, Kushner Heading To Pakistan

Washington told a different story. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner would travel to Islamabad on April 25 for what she described as "direct talks, intermediated by the Pakistanis" with the Iranian delegation.

Leavitt said Iran had itself "asked for" the in-person conversation, and that the administration had "seen some progress from the Iranian side in the last couple of days." Vice President JD Vance, who led the US team during the first round of Islamabad talks, will not travel this weekend but remains ready to fly to the Pakistani capital, she said.

“Everyone will be on standby to fly to Pakistan if necessary,” Leavitt said.

Iran has conditioned its return to the negotiating table on the lifting of a US naval blockade of its ports, a demand Trump has so far rejected. Tehran has also dismissed Trump's unilateral extension of the cease-fire as "meaningless" so long as the blockade remains in effect.

Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have sharpened in recent days, with Iran seizing two vessels and firing on a third after the US captured an Iranian-flagged ship.

The Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which serves as Iran's joint military command, warned on April 25 that it would respond if the United States continued its blockade.

 
Pakistan Hosts Iranians, Awaits US Delegation As Talks Still Uncertain

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