Islamabad, Pakistan — April 25, 2026
Iran has firmly ruled out any direct negotiations with the United States during Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s ongoing visit to Islamabad, stating that any communication with Washington will be conveyed through Pakistan.
The announcement comes amid rising speculation over potential diplomatic engagement between Tehran and Washington, following recent signals from the White House about renewed outreach efforts.
No Direct Talks Planned
According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, there is no plan for face-to-face discussions between Iranian and US officials during this visit.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, Baghaei said the Iranian delegation, led by Araghchi, has arrived in Islamabad for official meetings aimed at promoting regional peace and stability.
He emphasized that Iran’s position remains clear:
There is no scheduled meeting between Iran and the United States, and Tehran will communicate its views through Pakistan.
Focus on Regional Stability
During his visit, Araghchi is expected to hold high-level discussions with Pakistani leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir.
The talks are likely to focus on regional security, diplomatic coordination, and efforts to reduce tensions in the broader Middle East.
Iran has framed the visit as part of a broader initiative to strengthen cooperation with regional partners and counter what it describes as “aggressive policies” by the United States.
US Signals Renewed Outreach
The development comes at a time when the White House recently indicated potential diplomatic movement.
Officials said that US President Donald Trump is considering sending special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner to Pakistan as part of efforts to explore dialogue with Iran.
These signals had fueled speculation that backchannel or indirect talks could take place during Araghchi’s Islamabad visit.
Multi-City Diplomatic Tour
Following his engagements in Islamabad, Araghchi is scheduled to continue his diplomatic tour with visits to Muscat and Moscow—key capitals involved in regional and international negotiations.
Analysts say the move reflects Iran’s strategy of leveraging regional intermediaries while maintaining its stance against direct negotiations under current conditions.
