Iran has announced it would not be engaging with the United States in any direct talks of negotiations. The development comes in after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reached Islamabad for holding peace talks.
After landing in Islamabad, Araghchi clarified that he had no plans of conducting face-to-face talks with any American representatives. Sharing a post on X, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmael Baqaei, said that no meeting with American representatives will take place during the visit. Instead, Pakistan would act as an intermediary, facilitating talks between the two sides.
Iran Thanked Pakistan
Baqaei then thanked the Pakistani government for initiating mediation and "good offices for ending the American-imposed war of aggression." The clarification came after the White House on Friday said that the US envoys were scheduled to visit Araghchi in Pakistan, the Associated Press reported.
According to Trump's secretary, Karoline Leavitt, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were expected to meet Araghchi. “We’re hopeful that it will be a productive conversation and hopefully move the ball forward to a deal,” she said, adding that US Vice President JD Vance would not travel but remains “deeply involved" and could head to Pakistan “if we feel it's a necessary use of his time.”
Leavitt further added that Vance, Marco Rubio, and the president’s national security team were on “standby” and ready to fly to Pakistan, if required.
Previously, in the initial days of this month, JD Vance visited Islamabad for direct talks with Iranian representatives, in what was considered a high-level push to break the diplomatic deadlock. However, the discussions ended without any specific outcome. Speaking afterwards, Vance said the negotiations had stretched for over 21 hours.
This time, President Donald Trump is sending his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, AP reported, citing a White House statement.
Araghchi arrived in Islamabad late Friday night, where he was received by senior Pakistani leadership, including deputy prime minister and foreign minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and chief of army staff and chief of defence forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, along with other top officials.
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According to a post shared by Araghchi on social media, the Pakistan visit would focus on "bilateral matters and regional developments." However, according to details shared by Islamabad's foreign office, his visit will include meetings with Pakistan’s senior leadership, where discussions are expected to focus on “the evolving regional situation and ongoing efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.”