Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir in Islamabad on Saturday, in a development carrying significant diplomatic weight, as he said Iran’s “views and considerations” on ending the conflict were shared during the talks.
The meeting is believed to have included a comprehensive proposal tied to a potential deal with the United States, with Munir expected to relay the message to Washington, while Islamabad signaled its readiness to continue mediating between Tehran and the US.
Following the meeting, Araghchi released a statement confirming that discussions focused on “the latest developments related to the ceasefire” between Iran and the US.
According to the statement, General Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s willingness to continue its mediation efforts, signaling Islamabad’s potential role as a diplomatic bridge in easing tensions between Tehran and Washington.
The White House had earlier indicated that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would travel to Pakistan for discussions, though there has been no confirmation of their departure.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry also held a meeting with the Iranian foreign minister to discuss recent regional developments. During the meeting, Ishaq Dar reiterated that Pakistan is facilitating Iran-US talks to promote peace and stability in the region and beyond.
He emphasized that Pakistan would continue its efforts in this regard.
Dar further underlined that Pakistan’s official stance on facilitating Iran-US engagement is reflected only through statements issued by authorised sources. He added that comments attributed to unnamed officials do not represent the country’s official position.
Separately, Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warned the United States of possible retaliation over what it described as “blockade, banditry and piracy” in the region. The command stated that continued US actions could provoke a response from Iran’s armed forces.
The statement also highlighted Iran’s readiness to monitor and control strategic waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz, warning of “heavier losses” if tensions escalate further.
Araghchi conveyed Tehran’s concerns and demands regarding US positions through Pakistani officials during his visit to Islamabad.
These developments point to Islamabad’s growing role as a potential intermediary amid fragile regional dynamics and stalled direct engagement between Tehran and Washington.
Iran’s position hasn’t shifted much. It’s saying it won’t negotiate under pressure and wants US sanctions lifted before any serious engagement. At the same time, the broader regional picture is tense, with recent military activity making the diplomatic tightrope even harder to walk.
Pakistan has been doing a lot of the heavy lifting here, running what amounts to shuttle diplomacy to keep both sides talking even when they won’t talk to each other directly.
The diplomatic push comes as tensions remain high over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor. Iran has imposed transit “tolls” on vessels passing through the strait following recent hostilities, a move that has drawn concern from Gulf nations and other countries dependent on uninterrupted energy supplies.
A major sticking point is the Strait of Hormuz. Since the conflict began, Iran has effectively shut the strait, attacking ships and cutting traffic by 95%, while the U.S. has imposed a counter-blockade on Iranian ports, further complicating talks.
Iran’s nuclear programme remains another core issue. The U.S. and Israel want zero enrichment, citing weapon concerns, while Iran insists its programme is civilian and protected under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Tehran had previously capped enrichment under the 2015 nuclear deal, but tensions escalated after the U.S. withdrawal in 2018. Although Iran now holds higher enriched uranium levels, U.S. intelligence maintains it is not building a nuclear weapon.
Regional tensions extend to Lebanon, where fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah threatens a fragile ceasefire. Iran insists any truce must include Lebanon and demands Israel halt its offensive, but clashes continue, putting the agreement at risk.
While once a key U.S. demand, limits on Iran’s missile programme have faded from recent talks, signaling a possible shift in Washington’s negotiating stance.
Meanwhile, Hakan Fidan said he believes key sticking points—particularly those related to nuclear issues—could be resolved in the next round of US-Iran talks. Speaking in London, Fidan noted that Turkey has been in near-daily contact with the involved parties and reaffirmed Ankara’s support for the ceasefire, initially set for two weeks and now extended.
“I think that a few issues that are stuck, especially in the nuclear files, can be overcome,” Fidan said, adding that Turkey is encouraging all sides to contribute positively. He also noted that progress in negotiations could help resolve tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
