Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Moscow on Sunday after a brief return to Islamabad where U.S.-backed peace efforts stalled, as President Donald Trump said Tehran could negotiate by phone instead of sending envoys.
Araghchi had left Pakistan’s capital late Saturday, creating confusion about a planned second round of talks, but returned before departing for Russia, Iranian state media reported. His visit followed stops in Oman and Pakistan, where he met with military and political leaders attempting to revive indirect negotiations to end the eight-week conflict between the U.S. And Iran.
The White House had planned to send envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad to follow up on historic face-to-face talks earlier this month, but Trump canceled the mission after Araghchi’s departure, citing a lack of progress. “If they want, People can talk but we’re not sending people,” Trump told Fox News on Sunday, repeating an earlier social media post: “All they have to do is call!!!”
Indirect talks remain ongoing through Pakistani intermediaries, two officials said anonymously, reflecting Tehran’s preference for backchannel engagement after previous rounds of indirect talks ended with U.S. And Israeli strikes. Iran insists any new negotiations must start with the lifting of the U.S. Blockade on its ports, a condition Pakistani mediators are trying to bridge.
Araghchi as well spoke by phone with counterparts in Qatar and Saudi Arabia on Sunday, part of a broader diplomatic push to secure regional support for Iran’s position on the Strait of Hormuz, where Tehran seeks to establish a toll-collection mechanism for vessels passing through the vital waterway that carries a fifth of global oil trade in peacetime. Oman’s response to the proposal remains unclear.
The U.S. Continues to enforce a blockade of Iranian ports while Iran restricts movement through the Strait, maintaining a standoff that has disrupted global shipping despite a ceasefire indefinitely extended by Trump last week. The truce, originally agreed on April 7, has largely halted fighting that began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28, but a permanent settlement remains elusive in a war that has killed thousands and shaken the global economy.
For more on this story, see Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi travels to Moscow for talks with Putin as Trump opens door to direct U.S.-Iran negotiations.
Meanwhile, Iran’s national football team continues preparations for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, despite regional tensions. FIFA confirmed Iran’s group stage matches in California and Washington state will proceed as planned in June, rejecting a suggestion by U.S. Special envoy Paolo Zampolli to replace Iran with Italy, a four-time champion.
Italian officials dismissed the idea outright, with Sports Minister Andrea Abodi stating it was “not possible” and “not a solid idea,” while Luciano Buonfiglio, president of the Italian Olympic Committee, said he would feel “offended” by the notion, insisting teams must earn their place in the tournament.
In unrelated violence, at least four Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in Gaza on Sunday morning, including two men near the Kuwait roundabout in southeastern Gaza City, another near the Saqqa mosque in central Gaza, and a 40-year-old woman close to the Turkish slaughterhouse in southern Khan Younis, according to hospital authorities. The Israeli military did not comment.
The deaths bring the Palestinian death toll in Gaza since the October ceasefire attempt to at least 811, including 226 children and 179 women, according to Gaza health officials, as Israeli forces continue repeated airstrikes and fire near military-held zones despite a decline in heavy fighting.
Why did the U.S. Cancel its planned envoy mission to Pakistan?
The White House canceled the dispatch of envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed the city, with President Trump citing a lack of progress in negotiations and stating that Tehran could initiate talks by phone instead.
What is Iran’s condition for resuming talks with the U.S.?
Iran insists that the U.S. Blockade of its ports must be lifted before a new round of negotiations can begin, a demand Pakistani mediators are attempting to reconcile with American positions.
Will Iran participate in the 2026 World Cup despite regional conflicts?
Yes, Iran has not withdrawn from the tournament, and FIFA has confirmed its group stage matches in the U.S. Will proceed as scheduled in June, rejecting a proposal to replace the team with Italy.
