Pakistan’s prime minister described his meeting with Iran’s top diplomat as “warm and cordial,” as Islamabad hosted high-level talks linked to potential U.S.-Iran negotiations before Washington reportedly cancelled a planned envoy visit.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he had a “most warm, cordial exchange of views” with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during their meeting in Islamabad on Saturday.
In a post on X, Sharif said discussions focused on the current regional situation and matters of mutual interest, including efforts to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations.
Araghchi arrived in Pakistan late Friday for high-level meetings that officials said could help pave the way for a second round of indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran, amid efforts to revive stalled talks following weeks of conflict.
The meeting with Sharif lasted around two hours and was also attended by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, with discussions centred on the evolving regional situation and the role of dialogue and diplomacy.
Iran’s delegation later departed Islamabad after a day of engagements. Reports said Araghchi laid out Iran’s demands and reservations about U.S. positions, while Iran said its concerns would be conveyed to Pakistan.
In a post on X after the visit, Araghchi described the trip as “very fruitful,” saying Pakistan’s “good offices and brotherly efforts” to bring back peace to the region are valued. He said Iran had shared its position on a “workable framework to permanently end the war,” while questioning whether the U.S. is “truly serious about diplomacy.”
U.S. envoys’ trip reportedly cancelled
U.S. involvement in the talks now appears uncertain. President Donald Trump said he cancelled a planned trip by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan for Iran talks, according to reports citing Fox News.
Trump told Axios the move did not automatically mean a return to war with Iran, adding: “They can call us anytime they want.”
Araghchi was expected to continue his diplomatic tour with planned visits to Muscat and Moscow, as indirect channels remain central to any potential negotiations.
