Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, held crucial meetings with Pakistan’s civil and military leadership in Islamabad. His visit came during rising tensions in the Middle East.
During the short stay, Araghchi met Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces. He also engaged with senior government officials. These talks focused on maintaining momentum in ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Meanwhile, Shehbaz Sharif hosted the Iranian delegation at the Prime Minister’s Office. The discussions reflected Pakistan’s active role in regional mediation.
Pakistan aims to keep communication channels open. Therefore, Islamabad continues to facilitate dialogue between Tehran and Washington.
Pakistan Pushes to Keep Fragile Talks Alive
Islamabad is trying to keep the US-Iran peace talks on track. However, uncertainty has increased after Donald Trump cancelled a planned diplomatic visit.
US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were expected to visit Pakistan. Their trip aimed to advance negotiations.
However, Trump later scrapped the visit. He said there was no point “sitting around talking about nothing”.
Despite this, he added that Iran quickly revised its proposal. “They gave us a paper that should have been better and — interestingly — immediately when I cancelled it, within 10 minutes, we got a new paper that was much better,” he said.
These developments show how fragile the diplomatic process remains. Still, Pakistan continues its mediation efforts.
Araghchi Departs for Moscow After Brief Visit
After concluding meetings, Araghchi left Islamabad for Moscow. His visit lasted only a short time. However, it carried significant diplomatic weight.
Earlier, he had travelled to Oman. There, he met Haitham bin Tariq al-Said to discuss regional security. Talks focused on the Strait of Hormuz and efforts to end the conflict.
Other Iranian envoys returned to Tehran for consultations. They aimed to seek guidance on ending the war.
Pakistan Ensures Security During High-Level Visit
Following Araghchi’s departure, Ishaq Dar confirmed that restrictions in Islamabad had ended. These measures were in place around the Red Zone and Serena Hotel.
“I extend my heartfelt thanks to the people of Pakistan — especially the residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi — for their patience and cooperation,” he said.
He added that public support helped ensure the safety of visiting delegates. “to ensure the safety” remained a key priority during the visit.
Dar also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace. He emphasized the need for continued public support and prayers.
“Very Fruitful” Talks but Doubts Remain
A day earlier, Araghchi described his Pakistan visit as “very fruitful”. However, he expressed concerns about Washington’s intentions.
“Have yet to see if the US is truly serious about diplomacy,” he stated.
This remark highlights ongoing mistrust between both sides. Nevertheless, diplomatic channels remain open for now.
A Region on Edge
Tensions in the Middle East continue to shape global diplomacy. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical concern.
Although efforts for peace are ongoing, uncertainty still dominates the situation. Pakistan’s role as a mediator has become increasingly important.
For now, Islamabad is balancing diplomacy with caution. The coming days will likely determine whether talks move forward or stall again.
