Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is expected in Islamabad on Friday as Tehran moves to revive indirect negotiations with the United States following the collapse of earlier talks this week.
According to Pakistani government sources, Araqchi’s visit will focus on presenting Iran’s proposals for restarting dialogue, with Pakistan acting as an intermediary to relay messages between Tehran and Washington. No direct meetings with US officials are planned during the visit.
Islamabad had recently hosted talks aimed at ending the ongoing US-Iran confrontation, but those discussions broke down earlier this week, leaving mediation efforts in limbo.
Iranian state media said Araqchi’s regional tour will also include stops in Muscat and Moscow, though it made no reference to any face-to-face engagement with US negotiators.
While Washington has not formally responded to the visit, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled that diplomacy remains possible, saying Iran still has an opportunity to secure an agreement.
“Iran knows that they still have an open window to choose wisely … at the negotiating table,” Hegseth said. “All they have to do is abandon a nuclear weapon in meaningful and verifiable ways.”
The renewed diplomatic push comes amid heightened tensions and uncertainty over whether indirect channels can produce a breakthrough after the latest round of talks failed.
