Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi reached Islamabad on Friday night, as the White House announced special envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner would do the same on Saturday, raising hopes for renewed engagements aimed at ending the Middle East conflict.
Upon his arrival, Araghchi was received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir, along with other senior officials. According to the Foreign Office, Araghchi will meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Dar during his visit, discussing the latest regional developments as well as ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability.
Iranian state media, meanwhile, has reported that Araghchi’s Islamabad visit is part of a tri-nation tour that also includes trips to Muscat and Moscow. “The purpose of this visit is to hold bilateral consultations and discuss current developments in the region, as well as the latest situation in the war imposed by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran,” said the IRNA news agency.
Iran has shied from committing to any further engagement with the United States, but the White House insists that Witkoff and Kushner are reaching Islamabad for another round of peace talks. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Vice-President J.D. Vance would not be traveling to Pakistan, but said he would remain on standby. She also maintained that the talks were proceeding on the request of Tehran.
The federal capital has been under lockdown for the past week in anticipation of potential peace talks. Earlier this week, a U.S. logistics and security team reached Islamabad, raising hopes of a sustained second round, but Iran insists the U.S. end its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing talks cannot occur under the shadow of threats.
Trump, earlier this month, thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Munir for their brokering of a ceasefire with Iran. The first round of talks followed in Islamabad on April 11 but ended inconclusively. However, the ceasefire—initially slated for two weeks—persists, with Pakistan continuing to serve as mediator in the hopes of securing a permanent end to the conflict.