Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad as Pakistan tried to revive efforts to end the illegal US-Israeli war against Iran, but Tehran denied that direct talks with US envoys were planned.
The White House said US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were travelling to Pakistan for talks, while Vice-President JD Vance remained on standby if progress was made.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said no meeting with US officials was scheduled.
Witkowski and Kushner, who have no diplomatic or political background, have been rejected by Iran as negotiators as in the last round of talks, while they signalled to Iran that there is progress, encouraged Trump to attack Iran.
He said Iran’s position would be passed to Pakistan, which would then relay it to the US side.
Pakistan has placed parts of Islamabad under tight security. Roads near the Red Zone were closed, public transport was disrupted and police guarded areas around the Serena Hotel.
Araghchi met Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir after arriving late on Friday, according to images released by Pakistan and Iran’s foreign ministries. Al Jazeera reported that Pakistani mediators were “cautiously optimistic” after the visit began.
The talks follow weeks of stalled diplomacy. US and Iranian officials held a first round of talks in Pakistan on 11 April, which lasted more than 21 hours but ended without agreement.
US President Donald Trump told Reuters that Iran was “making an offer and we’ll have to see”. He said he did not yet know the details.
Tehran has framed the visit as part of a regional tour. Araghchi said he would also travel to Oman and Russia to discuss bilateral issues and regional developments.
Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s national security committee, said Araghchi had “no assignment related to nuclear talks” in Pakistan, according to the BBC. He said nuclear activity remained one of Iran’s “firm red lines”.
The main dispute remains the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has restricted passage through the waterway, while the US has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and vessels. Tehran has called the blockade piracy and says it must end before direct talks advance.
Iranian media reported that Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport resumed some international flights on Saturday, with departures to Muscat, Istanbul and Medina.
The regional conflict also continued in Lebanon. Israel and Hezbollah exchanged fire despite a ceasefire extension announced earlier this week. The Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah rocket launchers in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah said it attacked Israeli forces in response to Israeli violations.
Israel also renewed warnings to Lebanese residents not to return to dozens of villages in the south. The Israeli military said it continues to illegally occupy areas during the ceasefire.
In Gaza and the West Bank, Palestinians voted in municipal elections, the first since the Gaza war began in October 2023. The Central Elections Commission said about 70,000 people were eligible to vote in Deir el-Balah, the only Gaza city included in the poll.
Israeli attacks in Gaza also continued. Middle East Eye reported that at least 11 Palestinians were killed on Saturday, while Al Jazeera reported 12 deaths in recent strikes, including police officers.
HT
