Iranian Foreign Minister Arrives in Islamabad, But Not to Meet the US
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, which initially sparked speculation about follow-up negotiations with the US delegation. However, Tehran has emphasised that there are no plans for a direct meeting with the US in the Pakistani capital.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, as reported by Anadolu Agency on Saturday (25/4/2026), stated that Araghchi would meet directly with senior Pakistani officials.
These discussions are taking place as Pakistan continues its mediation efforts to de-escalate tensions between Iran and the US.
In a statement via social media platform X, Baghaei said that talks with Pakistani officials would occur “alongside their ongoing mediation and goodwill efforts” to help end the “US-imposed war of aggression” and restore stability in the region.
“No meeting between Iran and the US is planned,” Baghaei firmly stated.
“Iran’s observations will be conveyed to Pakistan,” he added.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, as reported by Reuters, confirmed the arrival of the Iranian delegation in the country. He stated that Foreign Minister Araghchi would meet with senior Pakistani officials to discuss peace efforts.
It was also mentioned that the meeting between Iranian and Pakistani officials is intended to discuss proposals to restart peace negotiations with the US, following previous talks that ended without any agreement.
According to two Pakistani government sources, Araghchi’s visit will be brief and focused on Iran’s proposals for talks with the US, which Islamabad will then convey to Washington as a mediator.
The arrival of the Iranian Foreign Minister in Islamabad was reported after White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that the US special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, flew to Pakistan on Saturday (25/4) for direct talks with Iranian representatives.
Pakistan is intensifying efforts to revive the second round of Iran-US negotiations. Several sources say that discussions with Tehran could pave the way for renewed negotiations after the first round of direct talks in Islamabad on 11-12 April.
Those initial negotiations occurred after Pakistan mediated a two-week ceasefire implemented since 8 April, which was later unilaterally extended by Trump without a specified timeframe.