‘No meeting planned’: Iran’s Foreign Minister arrives in Islamabad; denies direct meeting with US

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday with a senior delegation, signaling fresh diplomatic momentum to restart stalled US-Iran talks, with Pakistan positioning itself as a vital mediator.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday with a senior delegation, signaling fresh diplomatic momentum to restart stalled US-Iran talks, with Pakistan positioning itself as a vital mediator.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in an X post, welcomed Aragchi, saying, “Pleased to receive and welcome my brother, Foreign Minister of Iran, H. E. Abbas Araghchi @Araghchi, to Islamabad, alongside Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.”

“Look forward to our meaningful engagements aimed at promoting regional peace and stability,” added Dar.

Tehran denies a direct meeting with US

Despite Araghchi’s visit and the US confirmation of a meeting with Iran, Tehran has denied any direct meeting.

Iran’s Head of the Centre for Public Diplomacy and spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baqaei, in an X post said, “We arrive in Islamabad, Pakistan, for an official visit. FM Araghchi will be meeting with Pakistani high-level officials in concert with their ongoing mediation & good offices for ending American imposed war of aggression and the restitution of peace in our region.”

He further added, “No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the U.S. Iran's observations would be conveyed to Pakistan.”

Denying any meeting with Washington, Baqaei said Tehran’s views will instead be conveyed via Pakistan.

Also Read: Trump sending Witkoff, Kushner to Pakistan for US-Iran talks, says report

Witkoff and Kushner to arrive in Islamabad

Meanwhile, the White House confirmed that US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be heading to  Islamabad for a meeting with the Iranian delegation.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "I can confirm@SEPeaceMissions and @jaredkushner will be off to Pakistan again tomorrow morning to engage in talks.”
The White House also claimed that Tehran reached out for a meeting, "The Iranians reached out, as @POTUS called on them to do, and asked for this in-person conversation,” added Leavitt.

She noted that Vice President JD Vance will stay actively involved from Washington, working closely with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the national security team.

US President Donald Trump also stated on Friday that Iran is gearing up to present an offer aligned with American demands, as peace talks prepare to restart in Pakistan.

Also Read: Explained: Why Iran is not ready to compromise with US despite pressure

“They’re preparing an offer, and we’ll see what it entails,” Trump remarked during a phone interview with Reuters, noting he has not yet reviewed the proposal’s specifics.

He stressed that any deal must compel Iran to abandon its enriched uranium stockpile and guarantee unimpeded oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump voiced doubts about Iran’s leadership cohesion, echoing US officials’ claims of internal rifts in Tehran, while sidestepping names: “We’re engaging those currently in control.”

The president affirmed the US military blockade of Iranian ports will persist until an agreement materializes, adding he’ll assess lifting it only after scrutinizing Iran’s terms.

Stalled US-Iran talks over Hormuz

Earlier Pakistan-mediated US-Iran talks in Islamabad remained unfruitful and stalled over tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran demanded the right to control or charge vessels transiting the strait and insisted on maintaining influence there. The US demanded full, unrestricted reopening under international norms and rejected Iranian control.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Thursday said his pursuit of an "everlasting" deal with Iran, while asserting Washington's dominant position in the Strait of Hormuz standoff, a vital global energy corridor.

The US has yet to devise a path to reopen the strait, which Iran has blocked to nearly all but its own vessels since the conflict erupted eight weeks ago. Tehran reinforced its grip this week by capturing two major cargo ships.

Trump imposed a separate blockade on Iranian shipping last week, a step Iran insists must be lifted before it even contemplates reopening the strait.