Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday, April 25, 2026, ahead of a planned visit by U.S. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, for a new round of indirect peace talks hosted by Pakistan. The White House confirmed the U.S. Delegation’s travel plans, though Iranian officials have stated they do not intend to meet directly with the American representatives.
The developments approach amid ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions, with President Trump having unilaterally extended a ceasefire with Iran earlier in the week without setting a new expiration date. The extension was announced hours before the previous agreement was set to expire, forming part of broader diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional conflicts involving Iran-backed groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon.
According to Iranian state television, Foreign Minister Araghchi has no plans for direct talks with the U.S. Envoys, and Pakistan will serve as an intermediary to convey Iranian proposals. Pakistan’s foreign ministry confirmed Araghchi’s arrival in Islamabad for discussions on “ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability” with Pakistani officials, without referencing direct U.S.-Iran talks.
The U.S. Delegation’s visit follows a recent exchange of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, including Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and rocket fire from the Iran-backed militant group into Israeli territory. Despite President Trump’s announcement of a three-week extension to the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire during White House talks, Hezbollah has rejected the extension and remains uninvolved in the negotiations.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned that Iran’s economy could “collapse under the unrelenting pressure” of a continued U.S. Naval blockade if Tehran does not reach a deal with the United States. He emphasized that Iran still has time to “choose wisely” in the negotiations.
In a related development, Iran resumed commercial flights from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport on Saturday, marking the first such flights since the conflict with the U.S. And Israel began. State-run TV reported departures to Istanbul, Muscat, and Medina, with flight tracking data confirming at least three Istanbul-bound flights leaving the airport that morning. This follows a partial reopening of Iranian airspace amid the ceasefire arrangements.
The talks in Islamabad represent a continuation of diplomatic channels established earlier this month, when Pakistan hosted direct U.S.-Iran discussions. While the format of the current engagement remains indirect, both sides have signaled willingness to explore pathways toward reducing tensions, particularly regarding maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and the status of Iran-backed militias in the region.
As of Saturday morning, no direct meeting between the U.S. Envoys and Iranian officials had been confirmed. Pakistani authorities are facilitating communication between the parties, with Iran indicating it will convey its observations through Pakistani intermediaries. The outcome of the talks could influence the trajectory of U.S. Policy toward Iran, including the potential adjustment or lifting of economic sanctions tied to nuclear and regional security concerns.
For ongoing updates on the Iran peace process and regional developments, readers are encouraged to follow official statements from the U.S. State Department, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Pakistan’s Foreign Office.