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Iran Rejects Direct U.S. Talks in Islamabad as Pakistan Mediates

The shift channels any U.S.–Iran exchange through Pakistani go-betweens, signaling a cautious and uncertain route to a possible deal.

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Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar (L) greeting his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi upon his arrival in Islamabad

Overview

  • Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi reached Islamabad on Friday and met senior Pakistani leaders, including the country’s foreign minister and army chief.
  • Tehran said no face-to-face meeting with U.S. officials will occur during the visit and asked Pakistan to convey its positions, contradicting White House claims that Iran wants in-person talks.
  • The White House said envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will fly to Pakistan on Saturday to engage through Pakistani mediators, with Vice President JD Vance on standby.
  • Pakistan is acting as the intermediary between Washington and Tehran, and Pakistani sources say a U.S. logistics and security team is already in the capital to support the effort.
  • The push comes after an earlier Islamabad round ended without a deal during an extended ceasefire, as a U.S. naval blockade and Iranian pressure on shipping near the Strait of Hormuz keep tensions high.