In a significant diplomatic development, Abbas Araghchi met Asim Munir in Islamabad as efforts intensify to revive negotiations between Iran and the United States.
The high-level meeting was attended by Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Asim Malik and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, along with senior Iranian officials including Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi and Ambassador Reza Amiri-Moghaddam. The visit reflects Pakistan’s growing role as a mediator in the ongoing Middle East crisis.
According to officials, Araghchi is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to discuss regional stability and diplomatic pathways to end the conflict.
The Iranian delegation’s visit comes as the United States prepares for another round of talks. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to arrive in Islamabad, signaling renewed efforts to bridge differences after earlier negotiations failed to produce a breakthrough.
The conflict, which began on February 28 following strikes by the US and Israel on Iran, has escalated tensions across the region. Although a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire was implemented on April 8, key issues remain unresolved.
One of the major sticking points continues to be control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. Iran had initially closed the strait in response to military actions, later reopening it under a ceasefire agreement before shutting it again following a US naval blockade.
Despite the complexities, Pakistan has maintained active diplomatic engagement, aiming to extend the ceasefire and facilitate meaningful dialogue. US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian leadership had previously led a 21-hour negotiation session in Islamabad, marking one of the highest-level contacts between the two nations in decades.
With both sides still far apart on key issues such as nuclear policy and maritime control, the upcoming talks will be crucial in determining whether diplomacy can prevent further escalation.
