Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi returned to Islamabad today as Pakistan’s political and military leadership scrambled to reignite ceasefire talks between Tehran and Washington. Foreign Minister Araghchi had left Islamabad a day earlier, creating uncertainty over the proposed second round of ceasefire talks between Tehran and Washington.
Iranian state media reported that he returned to the Pakistani capital before proceeding to Moscow. He had earlier been another key mediator in Oman, which has previously mediated talks and lies across the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Mr Araghchi had said earlier that it is not clear if Washington is truly serious about diplomacy after US President Donald Trump scrapped plans for his envoys to visit Pakistan. President Trump said talks will continue by phone after Iran declined to meet directly with American negotiators.
Earlier on Friday, the White House had said that it would dispatch envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad for a second round of talks. However, shortly after Iran Foreign Minister’s departure was reported, President Donald Trump said he had called off the mission because of a lack of progress with Iran.
