The White House: New American-Iranian Talks in Pakistan

SadaNews - The White House confirmed that envoys Steve Witikoff and Jared Kushner will depart tomorrow morning for Pakistan and will hold direct talks with the Iranian side, mediated by Pakistan. This coincides with the visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi to Islamabad, a tour that also includes Russia and Oman, which hosted negotiations prior to the war that began on February 28.

Fox News reported that White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt stated that the U.S. has seen progress from the Iranian side in recent days, expressing hope that talks between the two parties would be productive and contribute to advancing efforts toward an agreement.

The New York Times also reported Iranian officials as saying that Araqchi is expected to meet with Witikoff and Kushner in Pakistan to continue negotiations.

Regarding the participation of U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance in the discussions, the White House spokeswoman stated that he remains deeply involved in the overall process concerning Iran.

The American president had previously stated that the Iranian side is interested in reaching a deal, confirming that there have been communications with them. He pointed out that Washington decided to give Tehran a chance to resolve what he described as its internal conflicts before proceeding with negotiations.

In response, the Iranian Foreign Ministry, in a statement this Friday evening, said that Araqchi will visit Islamabad, Moscow, and Muscat to discuss regional developments and efforts to end the war.

The Tasnim agency reported that an informed source mentioned Araqchi will present Iran's remarks regarding the end of the war during his visit to Pakistan.

A Call from Pakistan

The director of Al Jazeera's office in Tehran, Nour Eddine Al-Ghayr, indicated that information from Iran suggests Araqchi's visit came at the invitation of Pakistan following a phone call between the Iranian minister and Pakistani officials.

He added that the Iranian side has approached the visit with a degree of caution and apprehension for fear that the Americans might exploit it and view it as a sign of weakness from Iran.

Information and sources cited by the head of Al Jazeera's office in Tehran indicate that a proposal had reached the Iranians from the Americans via Pakistan, centered on how to deal with the blockade of Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz, and what mechanism could serve as a midpoint between what satisfies Tehran and what pleases Washington.

Al-Ghayr noted that Araqchi's visit enjoys backing from the Iranian National Security Council, and based on his information and sources in Iran, the level of negotiation and the Iranian negotiating team may change, and negotiations may take place between Araqchi and American envoy Steve Witikoff, possibly moving the negotiation location from Pakistan to Oman.

It is likely that the involvement of Oman and Russia may indicate that there are other proposals, and the Russian side will try to overcome obstacles between Washington and Tehran, especially regarding the Iranian nuclear program.

As for the details of the Iranian Foreign Minister's visit from the Pakistani side, A.J. director Abdurrahman Matar reported that a source in the Pakistani Foreign Ministry confirmed that Araqchi will meet upon his arrival in Islamabad with a limited number of his aides, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Army Chief Asim Munir and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar.

Bilaterals

The visit will be limited to discussing regional developments and ways to achieve peace without discussing the issue of negotiations with the United States or the possibility of proposing some ideas related to negotiations, according to Al Jazeera’s office director in Islamabad.

Abdurrahman Matar reported sources stating that the visit comes within the framework of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran, as the latter seeks to thank Islamabad for its diplomatic efforts that culminated in announcing a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

In light of the lack of confirmed information about the content and objective of Abbas Araqchi’s visit to Islamabad, Matar stated that the Iranian and Pakistani foreign ministers conducted an official phone call and agreed to continue discussing and communicating with each other, according to an official statement from the Pakistani Foreign Ministry.

The Pakistani Foreign Minister also contacted his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, but the statement from the Pakistani Foreign Ministry did not provide details on this matter.

Today, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Lavrov confirmed to his Pakistani counterpart Muhammad Ishaq Dar Russia's readiness to facilitate an agreement between the United States and Iran.

According to the director of Al Jazeera’s office in Islamabad, the current atmosphere in Pakistan’s capital does not suggest that a round of direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran will be imminent.

Previously, the American president announced the extension of the ceasefire until Iran presents its proposal and completes discussions, whether they conclude with an agreement or otherwise.

It is noteworthy that the first round of negotiations in Islamabad between the United States and Iran reached a deadlock due to the contradiction between American-Israeli demands on one hand and Iranian conditions on the other.