US-Iran Islamabad Talks: Hours after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that he would visit Pakistan's Islamabad to participate in the high-stakes peace talks with the US, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in an interview on Fox News Channel that the American delegation will go to the South Asian country to have talks, aiming to end the hostility in the Middle East.
Steve Witkoff And Jared Kushner To Visit Pakistan
President Donald Trump is sending his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan on Saturday to continue talks with Iran, the White House said Friday. Later, Leavitt confirmed the development.
"We're hopeful that it will be a productive conversation and hopefully move the ball forward to a deal," Leavitt said, adding that Vice President JD Vance would not be travelling but that he remains "deeply involved." She said he will be in the US, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the president's national security team, on "standby" to fly to Pakistan if necessary."
The United States has seen some progress from the Iranian side in recent days and hopes more will be made in weekend talks, Leavitt said.
ALSO READ: 'No Nuclear Strike, But Clock Is Ticking’: Trump's New Ultimatum To Iran
Abbas Araghchi Set To Visit Pakistan
On the other side, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency confirmed Friday that Araghchi was heading to Pakistan for talks. IRNA said Araghchi also would go to Oman and Russia.
What Iran Said On The Agenda
The IRNA report said Araghchi's trip, beginning Friday, is focused on "bilateral consultations and discussions on ongoing regional developments, as well as the latest situation surrounding the imposed war by the United States and Israel against Iran."
ALSO READ: ‘One Leader, One Nation, One Path’: Iran Hits Back At Trump Over ‘Leadership Rift’ Claim
In a post on X, Araghchi said that he would visit Russia, Oman and Pakistan. Araghchi stated, "Embarking on timely tour of Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow. Purpose of my visits is to closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments. Our neighbours are our priority."
Why Do Islamabad Peace Talks 2.0 Matter?
The Islamabad Peace Talks 2.0 is significant as it aims to achieve a deal between Iran and the US, so that the nearly two-month-long hostility in the Middle East can be put to an end. The 40-day war in the region resulted in turbulence in the global energy market, which caused a skyrocketing in fuel prices, impacting oil-importing nations like India, China, Pakistan and others. European countries also faced the heat as crude oil once touched USD 117 per barrel, triggering inflation. Earlier, Iran showed reluctance to send a delegation to Islamabad, citing Trump's diplomatic pressure, but now it has agreed, which is a positive sign in the direction of achieving a long-lasting peace.
Earlier on Tuesday, Trump announced the extension of the ceasefire with Iran, citing the need to allow Tehran's leadership more time to formulate a unified proposal for negotiations. Trump, in his post, stated that the decision followed concerns over internal divisions within Iran's government and appeals from international stakeholders.
"Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal," the post read.
(With Agencies Inputs)