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Iranian foreign minister to arrive in Islamabad tonight for second round of US peace talks

By Imran Nasir

ISLAMABAD - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to arrive in Islamabad tonight with a small delegation, according to government sources, signaling the imminent start of a second round of peace talks between the United States and Iran.

The development follows Araghchi’s telephone conversation earlier Friday with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, during which both sides exchanged views on regional developments and ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Government sources confirmed that following “important discussions” with the Pakistani mediation team, a second round of Islamabad peace talks between Washington and Tehran is now expected. A US logistics and security team is already present in the Pakistani capital to facilitate the negotiation process.

The talks come after a first round of direct negotiations held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, which ended without a final agreement but resulted in a ceasefire extension. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally brokered the initial two-week truce, which was later extended following another request from Pakistan’s leadership.

Key sticking points remain, including competing proposals over the duration of a suspension of Iran’s nuclear activities. However, Araghchi’s last-minute visit suggests progress in behind-the-scenes discussions with Pakistani mediators.

Pakistan continues to position itself as an “honest broker” between the two nations, which have had no formal diplomatic relations for nearly five decades.

However, the Iranian News Agency IRNA confirmed that the Foreign Minister will visit Islamabad and later he will also visit Oman and Russia.