Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad on Saturday after meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, concluding a day-long visit without engaging the U.S. Delegation that had been expected to arrive for peace talks.
The White House had confirmed that special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were planning to travel to Pakistan for negotiations, but Pakistani officials said Araghchi departed before their arrival. His spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, had previously denied that direct talks with the United States were planned during the visit.
Araghchi’s trip to Pakistan came amid heightened tensions over the U.S. Naval blockade of Iranian ports, which Tehran says violates any ceasefire agreement and insists must be lifted before it returns to negotiations. Iran has dismissed Trump’s unilateral extension of the Iran ceasefire as meaningless, citing the ongoing blockade as a violation of terms.
In response to the blockade, Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya military command warned that the “aggressive U.S. Military” would face retaliation if it continues what it described as “blockade, banditry and piracy in the region.” The statement was issued the same day the U.S. Envoys were expected to arrive in Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Iran has reimposed strict control over the Strait of Hormuz, declaring that the closure will continue until the United States lifts its blockade. The waterway, which was not a central issue before the conflict, has grow a primary sticking point in talks, with both sides now imposing restrictions on passage.
Pakistan, which has hosted direct U.S.-Iran talks earlier this month, continues to mediate. Sharif described his exchange with Araghchi as a “most warm, cordial exchange of views” on the regional situation, including efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.
For more on this story, see Pakistan Mediates US-Iran Talks Amid Middle East Tensions.
Araghchi told Pakistani officials he was conveying Iran’s “views and considerations” and expressed readiness to continue Pakistan’s mediation efforts until a result is achieved, signaling a willingness to negotiate without capitulation.
The timing of Araghchi’s departure coincided with renewed violence along the Israel-Lebanon border, where Israel attacked southern Lebanon targeting sites it says belong to Hezbollah, and the militant group fired rockets into Israel. This occurred despite Trump’s announcement of a three-week ceasefire extension between Israel and Lebanon, which Hezbollah opposed and was not involved in negotiating.
The broader U.S. Effort to link the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire to its war with Iran has faltered, as Tehran insists fighting in Lebanon must remain paused as a precondition for further talks — a condition the U.S. Has not met.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the blockade would continue for “as long as it takes” for Iran to comply with U.S. Demands, adding that Tehran could either abandon its nuclear program in verifiable ways or face economic collapse under sustained pressure.
This follows our earlier report, US and Iran Clash Over Nuclear Freeze in Islamabad Peace Talks.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration hoped positive developments would come from the meeting, despite Tehran’s flat denial that any direct talks were planned.
Why did Iran’s foreign minister leave before the U.S. Delegation arrived?
Pakistani officials confirmed Araghchi departed Islamabad before the arrival of Witkoff and Kushner, following bilateral talks with Pakistani leadership. His spokesperson had previously stated no direct meeting with the U.S. Was planned during the visit.
What is the main obstacle preventing U.S.-Iran talks from progressing?
The U.S. Naval blockade of Iranian ports remains the primary sticking point, with Iran insisting it must be lifted before returning to negotiations, even as the United States says it will continue the blockade until Iran meets its demands.
