Araghchi arrives in Islamabad in major diplomatic breakthrough, US envoys Witkoff, Kushner land today
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir receive Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi upon his arrival in Islamabad. PHOTO: X/Tahir Andrabi
ISLAMABAD:
After days of uncertainty and pessimism, Islamabad is back in the diplomatic spotlight as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in the federal capital late Friday, signaling a renewed push to revive stalled talks between Tehran and Washington.
The high-stakes visit comes at a critical time when tensions remain high and the fate of diplomacy hangs in the balance after a planned second round of US-Iran talks in Islamabad collapsed earlier this week.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an Iranian delegation led by Araghchi was received on arrival by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, along with other senior officials.
The statement said the Iranian foreign minister will hold meetings with Pakistan’s top leadership to discuss recent regional developments and ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability.
Diplomatic sources said the visit follows Araghchi’s separate telephone contacts with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Defense Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, part of efforts to maintain close coordination amid the evolving situation.
As Araghchi landed in Islamabad, the White House said President Donald Trump was deploying special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner to Pakistan for a new engagement with the Iranian side.
However, Tehran stopped short of confirming whether Araghchi’s visit would involve any direct or indirect talks with US officials in Islamabad.
Officials familiar with the development said the Iranian foreign minister is expected to consult Pakistani authorities first, with the outcome likely to determine the next phase of engagement between Tehran and Washington.
In a pre-departure message, Araghchi said he was on a “timely trip” in Islamabad, Muscat and Moscow to coordinate with key partners on bilateral ties and regional developments, stressing that “neighbors are our priority.”
The choice of capitals reflects the wider diplomatic framework: Pakistan is seen as an important intermediary, Oman has traditionally hosted backchannel negotiations, while Russia remains a strategic ally with Iran, particularly on the nuclear issue.
The latest development follows the abrupt cancellation of a second round of talks scheduled for Islamabad earlier this week. Iran refused to send its delegation and insisted that the United States first lift what it described as a naval blockade, a demand Washington did not accept.
At the heart of the impasse are two major issues: Iran’s nuclear program and rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Despite the setback, Pakistan has maintained all security arrangements put in place for the talks, and US security teams that arrived ahead of the planned meeting remain in Islamabad, an indication that diplomatic efforts are still alive.
Officials said Islamabad has been engaged in discreet backchannel diplomacy to bridge differences, with Araghchi’s visit seen as one of the results of those efforts.
As both sides struggle to agree on the next round of talks, a fragile ceasefire continues after being extended by Washington without a defined timeframe.
The White House has also indicated that Vice President JD Vance remains on standby for a possible visit to Islamabad if progress is made.
However, Iran has reiterated that it will not negotiate under pressure or coercion.
For now, all eyes are once again on Islamabad as it tries to use its role as a mediator to bring both sides back to the negotiating table.
