Araghchi arrives in Islamabad in major diplomatic breakthrough; American envoys Witkoff and Kushner will land today
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and FDC 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 gloom, Islamabad is back in the diplomatic spotlight as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in the federal capital on Friday night, signaling a renewed push to revive stalled talks between Tehran and Washington.
The high-stakes visit comes at a critical time, with tensions still high and the fate of diplomacy hanging in the balance after a planned second round of talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad collapsed earlier this week.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, an Iranian delegation led by Araghchi was received upon 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 the latest 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 Forces Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as part of efforts to maintain close coordination amid the evolving situation.
As Araghchi landed in Islamabad, the White House said President Donald Trump was sending special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner to Pakistan for further engagement with the Iranian side.
However, Tehran stopped short of confirming whether Araghchi’s visit would involve direct or indirect talks with US officials in Islamabad.
Officials familiar with the developments said the Iranian foreign minister is expected to consult with Pakistani authorities first, and the outcome will likely determine the next phase of engagement between Tehran and Washington.
In a message before his departure, Araghchi said he was embarking on a “timely tour” to Islamabad, Muscat and Moscow to coordinate with key partners on bilateral relations and regional developments, and stressed that “neighbors are our priority.”
The choice of capitals reflects the broader diplomatic framework: Pakistan is seen as a key intermediary, Oman has traditionally hosted side talks, while Russia remains a strategic ally of Iran, particularly on the nuclear issue.
The latest developments follow the abrupt cancellation of a second round of talks planned in Islamabad earlier this week. Iran refused to send its delegation, insisting that the United States must first lift what it described as a naval blockade, a demand that Washington did not accept.
At the center 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 in place for the talks, and American 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 quiet secondary diplomacy to bridge differences, and Araghchi’s visit is seen as one of the results of those efforts.
As both sides struggle to reach an agreement on the next round of talks, a fragile ceasefire remains in place after Washington extended it without a clear timetable.
The White House has also indicated that Vice President JD Vance remains on standby for a possible visit to Islamabad if progress is made.
Iran, however, has reiterated that it will not negotiate under pressure or coercion.
For now, all eyes are once again on Islamabad, which is trying to take advantage of its role as mediator to bring both parties back to the negotiating table.
