Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi delivered Tehran’s response to U.S. proposals for a peace agreement in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday.
Diplomatic Maneuvers in Pakistan’s Capital
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir on Saturday to convey Iran’s response to U.S. proposals for a peace agreement, including Tehran’s demands and reservations regarding Washington’s position, according to Reuters citing Pakistani authorities.
The Iranian Foreign Minister arrived in Islamabad on Friday, coinciding with planned visits by U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner for talks with the Iranian delegation, as reported by the Pakistani news agency ANI.
Trump Announces Iran’s Willingness to Talk
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that Iran expressed a desire to discuss and explore a potential agreement, and that he plans to present an offer aimed at meeting U.S. demands.
No Direct Talks, Continued Diplomatic Offensive
Despite U.S. government statements, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghei announced on Friday that direct talks between the two countries’ delegations would not occur in Islamabad.
Araghchi will meet only with high-ranking Pakistani officials, then travel to Oman and Russia to “coordinate actions with our partners, including consultations on regional developments,” according to the spokesperson.
Stalled Diplomacy and U.S. Exit Strategy
ANI described the current situation as a “deepening diplomatic stalemate.” A spokesperson for the Iranian Defense Ministry stated on Saturday that the U.S. is seeking a way to withdraw from the conflict with a semblance of success, as reported by AFP citing Iranian media.
Ceasefire Background
The previous round of U.S.-Iran peace negotiations took place in Islamabad on April 11th, but ended without a resolution.
A ceasefire between the U.S., Israel, and Iran has been in effect since February 8th, halting fighting that began on February 28th. The truce initially expired after two weeks but was extended indefinitely by Trump.
