Confusion seems to be plaguing the second round of Iran-US talks once again even as the White House confirmed that talks will be held in Pakistan's capital Islamabad over the weekend. Track updates on Iran US conflict
The US will be sending its envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to Islamabad for talks and the duo will leave on Saturday morning, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Friday.
Also read: Ashok Lahiri, Bengal BJP MLA and ex-CEA, to become Niti Aayog vice-chairman
However, Iran has said there are no plans to hold a meeting with the US, even though Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi landed in Pakistan on Friday.
“No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the U.S. Iran's observations would be conveyed to Pakistan,” Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei wrote on X.
Why is Araghchi in Pakistan?
Baqaei said that the Iranian delegation arrived in Islamabad for an official visit and Araghchi will meet Pakistani high-level officials in ‘concert with their ongoing mediation and good offices for ending American imposed war of aggression and the restitution of peace in our region.'
{{/usCountry}}Baqaei said that the Iranian delegation arrived in Islamabad for an official visit and Araghchi will meet Pakistani high-level officials in ‘concert with their ongoing mediation and good offices for ending American imposed war of aggression and the restitution of peace in our region.'
{{/usCountry}}Pakistan’s foreign ministry said an Iranian delegation led by foreign minister Abbas Araghchi landed in Islamabad on Friday where he was received by Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar, chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and other senior officials.
In a statement, it said during the visit Araghchi is expected to meet Pakistan’s senior leadership to discuss the latest regional developments and ongoing efforts to promote regional peace and stability.
Quoting a senior Iranian official, Al Jazeera reported that there won't be any Iran-US talks in Pakistan and Araghchi is visiting Pakistan as part of his multi-nation tour to discuss regional developments. Araghchi is set to visit Oman and Russia as well as part of his tour.
Two Pakistani government sources aware of the discussions told Reuters that Araghchi's visit would be brief and focus on Iran's proposals for talks with the US, which mediator Pakistan would then convey to Washington.
Araghchi earlier also wrote on on social media that he was traveling to Pakistan on a trip focused on “bilateral matters and regional developments.”
What White House said
White House on Froiday said that President Donald Trump is sending envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan on Saturday to continue talks with Iran. Vice President JD Vance would not be traveling and is on standby, the White House said.
Also read: US-Iran peace talks to resume? Trump sending delegation to Pakistan as Araghchi announces visit
“JD Vance is on standby and will be willing to dispatch to Pakistan if we feel it’s a necessary use of his time,” US press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, adding that US had seen some progress from the Iranian side in recent days, adding that they hoped more will be made in weekend talks.
Leavitt told Fox News on Friday that Iran had reached out, and asked for an in-person meeting.