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Iranian Foreign Minister to Return to Pakistan Amid Stalled US Diplomacy Efforts
Iran's foreign minister is set to revisit Pakistan for further talks after departing the day before, as US envoys canceled a planned visit following Iran's refusal to negotiate directly. The developments come amid ongoing Middle East tensions, including reported Israeli strikes in Lebanon despite a ceasefire extension.
Apr 26, 12:10 AM·2m read12 sources
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Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to return to Pakistan on Sunday for additional peace negotiations, according to state media reports. He had left Islamabad on Saturday evening after discussions with Pakistani leaders on Iran's conditions for talks with the US.
The US envoys did not proceed with their scheduled arrival in Islamabad on Saturday, after Iran indicated it would not engage in direct negotiations. President Donald Trump stated that he instructed the US envoys not to travel, noting that Iran could contact the US at any time.
The envoys named in reports were Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian informed Pakistan's prime minister that Tehran would not negotiate with the US under pressure, threats, or siege.
Lebanon's health ministry reported that Israeli strikes in the country's south killed six people, despite a ceasefire extension this week in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The ceasefire with Iran remained in place on Saturday, but gunfire continued in parts of the Middle East.
Iran's judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei stated on Sunday that Iran's adversaries were seeking to create divisions after failing to achieve goals through war and negotiations. Oil prices held steady with Brent at $105 per barrel, set for a weekly gain of $15, tempered by hopes for US-Iran diplomacy.
Markets remained below $110 due to these developments. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan indicated that Turkey could consider participating in demining operations in the Strait of Hormuz following any potential Iran-US agreement. He described such efforts as a humanitarian duty, with a technical team expected to handle the work.
A leaked Pentagon memo proposed that the US reassess support for the UK's claim to the Falkland Islands due to Britain's lack of support for US actions against Iran. Downing Street insisted that UK sovereignty over the islands remains unchanged. The memo also suggested punishing NATO members, such as suspending Spain from the alliance, for refusing to join the Iran conflict.
