Iran says no meeting planned with United States in Pakistan

International Editorial.- Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, assured early Saturday that there is no meeting planned between the Tehran delegation and representatives of the United States in Pakistan. “No meeting between Iran and the United States is foreseen. Iran’s observations would be communicated to Pakistan,” Baqaei wrote in an X message. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrived in Islamabad this Friday to meet with Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership, a trip that coincides with the United States’ announcement of the imminent dispatch of a delegation to the Pakistani capital to try to unblock the regional crisis.

The Negotiations Between Iran and the United States

While the White House announced on Friday the trip of special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Saturday to Pakistan to try to resume face-to-face contacts. However, Baqaei insisted that Araqchi will only meet with “high-level” Pakistani representatives to discuss their “ongoing mediation and good offices to end the war imposed by the United States.” Before landing in the Pakistani capital, Araqchi framed his trip within an “opportune” tour that will also include Muscat and Moscow with the aim of “closely coordinating” bilateral affairs and consulting on regional developments, further emphasizing that his “neighbors are a priority”. The White House explained Witkoff and Kushner’s trip because the Iranian delegation wanted to “speak in person” and Washington was willing to “listen,” given that they had seen “some progress” from Iran in recent days. Islamabad, where the failed first round of negotiations was held on April 11 and 12, remains prepared to receive the parties, although contacts remain stalled due to the Iranian refusal to sit down to negotiate while the United States maintains the naval blockade of its ports and ships.