Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi greeted a Pakistani delegation led by army chief Asim Munir on Wednesday, following unsuccessful US-Iran discussions in Islamabad aimed at resolving the conflict in the Middle East.
Pictures of the welcoming ceremony were shared on Araghchi’s Telegram channel, announcing the arrival of Munir in Tehran. The Pakistani military’s media wing also confirmed the delegation’s presence in Iran, mentioning that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was part of the ongoing mediation efforts.
Earlier reports from Iranian state TV indicated that the high-level Pakistani delegation would deliver a new message from Washington and engage in discussions regarding a possible second round of talks.
Confirming ongoing dialogue facilitated by Pakistan, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei pointed out that messages had been exchanged following the initial talks in Islamabad. Baqaei expressed expectations of hosting the Pakistani delegation as a continuation of the diplomatic efforts.
The recent negotiations between the US and Iran in Islamabad occurred amidst a fragile ceasefire that had been established two weeks prior. The discussions, lasting approximately 21 hours, involved Vice President JD Vance leading the US delegation and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf heading the Iranian side.
While specifics of the negotiations were not officially disclosed, President Donald Trump later criticized Iran for its stance on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its nuclear program. Reports suggested the US proposed a 20-year suspension of Iran’s uranium enrichment, which was countered by Iran’s offer to halt nuclear activities for five years, a proposition rejected by US officials.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baqaei labeled some US demands during the talks as “unreasonable and unrealistic,” emphasizing Iran’s legitimate right to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. He stressed that Iran’s enrichment levels could be subject to negotiation based on the country’s requirements.
Baqaei condemned the US naval blockade on Iranian ports initiated on Monday, asserting that such actions would not achieve their intended objectives. He reiterated Iran’s stance of not entering negotiations merely to comply with American conditions.
