ISLAMABAD: Amid hopes of a breakthrough in the deadlocked US-Iran negotiations, an Iranian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, arrived in Islamabad on Friday night ahead of the much-awaited second round of peace talks.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi Friday confirmed that the Iranian delegation headed by the Foreign Minister of Islamic Republic of Iran Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Islamabad.
The Iranian Foreign Minister was received by Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir along with other senior officials upon arrival.
READ MORE: Iran says appreciates Pakistan’s efforts to end war
During the visit, the Iranian Foreign Minister will hold meetings with Pakistan’s senior leadership to discuss the latest regional developments as well as ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability.
An official described the Iranian delegation’s visit as a key step toward the resumption of direct talks with the United States aimed at ending the weeks-long conflict.
The smaller Iranian delegation is scheduled to call on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, and Field Marshal Gen. Asim Munir.
Abbas Araghchi is also expected to travel to Muscat and Moscow following his Islamabad visit.
Iranian media quoting official sources in Tehran that FM Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Pakistan will be a bilateral one and that after Islamabad, he will go to Muscat and Moscow. Abbas Araghchi himself confirmed his series of visits on his X post. Sources further confirmed that, as a result of ongoing consultations led by Pakistan’s mediation team, a second round of US–Iran peace talks in Islamabad is now “expected,” although no formal schedule has been publicly announced. In a significant indicator of preparedness, U.S. logistical and security teams are already present in the capital to support the potential negotiation process.
White House Spokeswoman has confirmed that American delegation is also expected to leave on Saturday, indicating further movement towards structured engagement between the two sides. Now the U.S. Vice President JD Vance will not be part of the delegation while Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will take part in expected conversations in Islamabad talks.
However, acording to an FO statement, DPM/FM Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar received a call on Friday from the Foreign Minister of Iran, Abbas Araghchi.
Both sides exchanged views on regional developments, the ceasefire, and ongoing diplomatic efforts being pursued by Islamabad in the context of US-Iran engagement.
DPM/FM underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and engagement to address outstanding issues in order to advance regional peace and stability at the earliest.
FM Araghchi appreciated Pakistan’s consistent and constructive facilitation role in this regard, and both leaders agreed to remain in close contact.
Earlier on Friday morning, Araghchi held extensive discussions on the phone with Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership.
Meanwhile, Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting with Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to review evolving regional and global dynamics.
Emphasisng the importance of dialogue in addressing regional challenges, DPM/FM directed proactive and sustained engagement on all priority issues.
Officials say Pakistan’s role has increasingly shifted from a passive facilitator to an active intermediary, maintaining communication channels at a time when tensions in the Gulf region, particularly around critical energy routes, continue to pose risks to global markets and regional stability.
While there is cautious optimism in Islamabad, diplomatic sources suggest that the process remains delicate, and any breakthrough will depend on continued engagement and mutual restraint from both Washington and Tehran.
It’s worth mentioning here that Vice President JD Vance-led American delegation was due to land in Islamabad last Monday, but Iran refused to join the second round, citing the naval blockade at the Strait of Hormuz.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Comments