WASHINGTON: The White House announced Friday that special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner are en route to Islamabad for peace talks with Iran, underscoring Washington’s push to break the deadlock in negotiations.
The statement came as Iran’s Foreign Minister arrived in Pakistan’s capital late Friday night, marking Tehran’s formal participation in the process. However, Iranian officials quickly tempered expectations, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai stating on X that “No meeting is planned to take place between Iran and the U.S. Iran’s observations would be conveyed to Pakistan.”
We arrive in Islamabad, Pakistan, for an official visit. FM Araghchi will be meeting with Pakistani high-level officials in concert with their ongoing mediation & good offices for ending American imposed war of aggression and the restitution of peace in our region.
No meeting… pic.twitter.com/1vP51xIoep
— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) April 24, 2026
The U.S. administration, in contrast, struck a more optimistic tone.
Officials said Washington is prepared to hear a plan for peace from Iranian representatives through Pakistani intermediaries. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Tehran must “choose wisely,” cautioning that failure to reach a deal would leave Iran’s economy “collapsing under the unrelenting pressure” of a U.S. naval blockade, which he vowed would remain in place “as long as it takes.”
The contrasting statements highlight the fragile nature of the diplomatic effort.
Iran’s FM Araghchi consults Pakistan, rejects direct US engagement
Pakistan, which has positioned itself as mediator, faces the challenge of bridging deep mistrust between Washington and Tehran. The talks come amid heightened tensions in the Gulf, where the U.S. blockade has disrupted energy flows and raised fears of wider instability.
Diplomatic observers note that while the arrival of delegations signals progress, the absence of any planned direct meeting between U.S. and Iranian officials underscores the gulf that remains. Islamabad’s role as facilitator will be critical in determining whether the process yields substantive dialogue or stalls under the weight of entrenched positions.
