Iran's FM not to hold talks with US officials in Pakistan visit

Iran's state-run IRIB TV reported that while Araghchi does not have a plan to meet with the Americans, Islamabad, as a bridge of communication, will 'convey' Iran's considerations for ending the conflicts. Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the Iranian delegation led by Araghchi arrived in Pakistan on Friday night. The Iranian foreign minister's trip will also include visits to Oman and Russia. Commenting on his tour in a post on social media platform X on Friday, Araghchi said, Embarking on timely tour of Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow. Purpose of my visits is to closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments. Our neighbors are our priority. Separately, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Friday that the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) had seized a vessel suspected of coordinating with the U.S. military. A ceasefire was achieved between Iran, the United States and Israel on April 8 after 40 days of fighting, followed by lengthy talks between the Iranian and U.S. delegations in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, which failed to lead to an agreement. The Iranian and U.S. delegations were reportedly expected to hold another round of peace talks in Pakistan this week, but Iran refrained from attending the negotiations citing the U.S. continued naval blockade and excessive demands as the main reasons. Earlier, an Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in Pakistan Friday night to discuss regional developments and ongoing peace efforts, said a spokesperson for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reported Xinhua. Tahir Andrabi, the spokesperson, said on X that Araghchi is scheduled to meet Pakistan's leadership to exchange views on the evolving regional situation and efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability. Upon arrival, the Iranian foreign minister was received by Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Syed Asim Munir, along with other senior officials. Earlier in the day, Araghchi said on X that he was embarking on a regional tour that includes stops in Islamabad, Muscat and Moscow. A U.S. logistics and security team is already in Islamabad to support the anticipated negotiations, while local media reported that a U.S. delegation could also arrive on Saturday. The confirmation follows a telephonic conversation between Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Araghchi, in which the former stressed the importance of sustained dialogue and engagement to address outstanding issues and advance regional peace and stability at the earliest. Despite diplomatic contacts, tensions remain high as Washington continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday that the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports is growing and going global and would continue as long as necessary. No one sails from the Strait of Hormuz to anywhere in the world without the permission of the United States Navy, Hegseth told a Pentagon press briefing, adding that U.S. forces had turned back 34 ships to or from Iranian ports and seized two Iranian ships in the Indo-Pacific region. At the same time, Iranian-linked oil shipments continue to challenge the blockade. Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that another U.S.-sanctioned supertanker, the Curacao-flagged Coba. Somerset. Yuri, crossed the Strait of Hormuz and anchored near Iran's southern Larak Island. Iran has repeatedly said diplomacy cannot move forward while Washington maintains military pressure and maritime restrictions. Iran's Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali said Tehran remains ready to resume negotiations with Washington but does not see a serious approach from the United States. We want concrete goals and objectives to be achieved as a result of these negotiations. They should not dictate the terms and outcomes of these talks, Jalali said, according to local media reports. Iranian officials have insisted that sanctions relief, maritime access and respect for Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy remain essential conditions for any meaningful negotiations. Meanwhile, broader international calls for diplomacy continued to grow. Egypt, Germany and Bahrain on Friday urged the resumption of U.S.-Iran negotiations and stressed the importance of solidifying the ceasefire to restore regional stability. Trump's envoy, son-in-law heading to Pakistan for talks with Iran U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner are heading to Pakistan for talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi this weekend, the White House said Friday. I can confirm special envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be off to Pakistan again tomorrow morning to engage in talks, direct talks, intermediated by the Pakistanis who have been incredible friends and mediators throughout this entire process with representatives from the Iranian delegation, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Fox News Friday afternoon. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who led the U.S. negotiating team during the first round of talks in Pakistan earlier this month, is not currently planning to attend the upcoming talks, Leavitt said, adding he will be standing by and consulting Trump alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio. She reiterated that a peace deal between the U.S. and Iran must include Iran's turning over nuclear material and committing to not building a nuclear weapon. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi is expected to arrive in Islamabad to hold discussions with Pakistani mediators on key preconditions before entering potential negotiations with the United States, a Pakistani official source told Xinhua on Friday. The discussions are expected to focus on such issues as lifting blockades and releasing Iranian ships and crew seized by the U.S. side, said the source, stressing Tehran is seeking initial confidence-building gestures from the United States before moving toward direct engagement. Our neighbors are our priority, Araghchi said Friday on X as he embarks on the trip, which will also take him to Oman and Russia, noting he will closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments. Trump insisted earlier this week that any peace deal with Iran would be made on U.S. terms and his timeline, claiming there is no time frame for ending the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and no time pressure on the U.S.-Iran ceasefire he extended Tuesday or on stalled talks.