Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, met with Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, in Islamabad, as tensions rise over the prospect of renewed negotiations between Iran and the U.S. Scheduled discussions over the weekend are increasingly uncertain, according to Iranian officials.
In a statement posted on X, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei noted that no meetings between Iranian representatives and senior U.S. officials are planned. “Iran’s observations would be conveyed to Pakistan,” he clarified, signaling a shift in communications strategy.
Meanwhile, U.S. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would travel to Pakistan for what they described as “direct talks” with Iranian counterparts. Leavitt explained that the Iranians had initiated the request for these in-person discussions, aligning with President Donald Trump’s earlier outreach. “We’re hopeful that it will be a productive conversation and hopefully move the ball forward towards a deal,” she remarked during a Fox News interview.
Vice President JD Vance, who previously led the U.S. delegation to Islamabad for initial negotiations with Iran, will not accompany this weekend’s talks, Leavitt stated. Trump, in a phone call with Reuters, hinted that Iran is expected to present a proposal but remained vague on its contents, saying, “we’ll have to see.”
Araghchi described his trip as a “timely tour” designed to enhance coordination with regional partners and consult on bilateral issues. The discussions are set to be mediated by Pakistani officials, following a prior round of peace talks two weeks ago in Islamabad that concluded without any agreement.
While U.S. officials prepared for further discussions, the trip faced delays after Iranian representatives indicated they would not attend. The ongoing friction between the nations largely stems from tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil-shipping corridor, which has seen reduced traffic amid Iranian threats and a U.S. naval blockade.
In remarks to Reuters, Trump reiterated that the U.S. will not lift its blockade of Iranian ports until a comprehensive deal is reached. The economic pressure on Tehran continues to escalate, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirming that the U.S. does not plan to extend a waiver that once allowed for the purchase of Iranian oil at sea. “Not the Iranians,” he clarified. “We have the blockade, and there’s no oil coming out.”
In an additional measure, the U.S. has sanctioned Hengli Petrochemical, a Chinese refinery known for its substantial dealings with Iranian oil, further isolating Tehran’s economic activities and highlighting the effectiveness of sanctions in limiting Iran’s oil revenues.
These escalating tensions complicate an already precarious ceasefire, originally announced on April 7, which Trump unilaterally extended this week. The administration’s operations in the region, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” were initially expected to conclude within a month, but officials have since tempered expectations, acknowledging the longer timelines often associated with similar U.S. military engagements.
As the world watches closely, the potential for a breakthrough in negotiations hangs in the balance, with critical implications for regional stability and economic dynamics in the Middle East. This situation continues to evolve, and further updates are anticipated as talks progress.
Sources: Reuters, Associated Press
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/25/iran-says-no-meeting-with-us-negotiators-planned-in-pakistan.html
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Publish Date: 2026-04-25 14:14:00
