Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, leading a senior delegation, held discussions on Saturday with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding the shifting regional dynamics. This meeting underscores Islamabad’s intensified efforts to restart the paused peace negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, also took part in the talks, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Following the meeting, PM Shehbaz shared that both sides exchanged perspectives on the regional situation and explored issues of mutual interest, including enhancing bilateral ties between Pakistan and Iran.
The Iranian delegation, after consultations with Pakistan’s top civilian and military officials, departed Islamabad. This visit marks the first stop of a tri-nation tour, with the delegation scheduled to proceed to Muscat and Moscow.
In a significant development, Islamabad continues to facilitate the second round of US-Iran talks. Earlier, PM Shehbaz had mediated a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran on April 8 and invited both parties to Islamabad for negotiations. However, the initial round ended without resolution due to disagreements over Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and control of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz was closed to all traffic after a joint US-Israeli bombing campaign against Iran from February 28 to April 8, which concluded following the Pakistan-brokered ceasefire. Despite the deadlock and US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a naval blockade on Iranian ports, Pakistan persisted in its diplomatic efforts to bring both sides back to dialogue and extend the ceasefire.
Just hours before the ceasefire’s expiration on April 22, President Trump extended the truce, citing Pakistan’s request. He stated that attacks were being postponed to allow Iranian leaders to develop a unified proposal. Additionally, Washington confirmed that Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would travel to Pakistan for a fresh round of negotiations with Iran.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned on Fox News that US Vice President JD Vance remains prepared to visit Pakistan but will hold off for the moment.
Earlier on Saturday, FM Araghchi also met Field Marshal Munir in Islamabad before his meeting with PM Shehbaz. Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Asim Malik and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi were present during the discussions. The Iranian delegation included Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, Ambassador Reza Amiri-Moghaddam, and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei.
Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday night. The Foreign Office stated that his visit aimed to engage with Pakistan’s senior leadership on ongoing regional peace and stability efforts.
Prior to his arrival, Iran’s state media reported that Araghchi’s tri-nation tour, covering Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow, would focus on bilateral consultations and the evolving regional situation, including the conflict imposed by the US and Israel against Iran.
