ISLAMABAD – US delegation led by Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to arrive in Pakistan as high-stakes Iran diplomacy unfolds, but uncertainty looms amid Iran’s firm denial of any direct talks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in the capital on Friday night, with expectations building around possible indirect engagement involving the United States to address the escalating Middle East crisis.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office said Araghchi was received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, along with other senior officials. During his visit, he is scheduled to hold key meetings with Pakistan’s top leadership focused on the latest regional developments and broader efforts to promote peace and stability.
US delegation led by President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner is expected to land in Islamabad on Saturday. The visit is being framed as part of ongoing diplomatic outreach concerning Iran, with Washington expressing cautious optimism after noting what it called “some progress” from Tehran in recent days.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the US team would engage in discussions facilitated through Pakistan, adding that Washington hopes the talks could yield constructive outcomes. She also indicated that Vice President JD Vance, who previously took part in an earlier but unsuccessful round of discussions in Islamabad, remains ready to rejoin negotiations if momentum improves.
However, despite the buildup, uncertainty continues to cloud the situation. Iran’s Foreign Ministry has firmly stated that no direct meeting with US officials is planned during Araghchi’s visit. A spokesperson clarified that the Iranian foreign minister’s engagements in Islamabad will focus on consultations with Pakistani leadership and coordination through Pakistan’s mediating role.
Tehran further clarified about its positions regarding conflict and what it describes as US aggression will be conveyed to Pakistan, rather than through any direct dialogue with Washington.
With major players converging in Islamabad but no confirmed face-to-face Iran-US engagement on the agenda, the diplomatic atmosphere remains tense, unpredictable, and closely watched.
No Direct Talks with US for FM Abbas Araghchi in Pakistan, Tehran says
