Tehran Submits Its Response to Pakistan and an American Delegation on Its Way to Islamabad

SadaNews - All eyes are on the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, where developments indicate the beginning of a second anticipated round of talks between Iran and the United States, mediated by Pakistan, amid American confirmation and Iranian denial.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced that Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with the Chief of the Pakistani Army, Asim Munir, in Islamabad today, Saturday.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated in a statement that Araqchi discussed with the Pakistani Army Chief the developments related to the ceasefire and ending the war, as well as ways to enhance peace and stability in the region.

The statement confirmed that Araqchi conveyed Tehran's positions and observations to the Pakistani side during the meeting, and praised the Pakistani efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire and putting an end to the war.

Furthermore, the Iranian Foreign Minister met with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif. The Pakistani Prime Minister's office stated that Sharif discussed the situation in the region with Araqchi, noting that the Pakistani Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, attended the meeting.

Later, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that Araqchi explained Iran's position regarding the ceasefire and ending the war during his meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan. He also pointed out the continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon during the meeting.

Response to a Pakistani Proposal

The Iranian television reported this morning that the Iranian Foreign Minister carries Tehran's response to proposals that the Chief of the Pakistani Army presented during his visit to Tehran earlier this month. The Iranian television confirmed that the response Araqchi will convey to the Pakistani side is comprehensive and takes into account all of Tehran's observations.

Later, Reuters quoted a Pakistani source stating that Araqchi presented Iran's demands and reservations regarding the American requests, while the Pakistani Foreign Ministry indicated that Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar affirmed his country's continued efforts to facilitate Iranian-American talks aimed at achieving peace.

Al Jazeera correspondent in Islamabad, Farah al-Zaman Shauqi, reported that Araqchi will meet today with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. She noted that the meeting between Araqchi and Munir addressed the most important security issues and the American maritime blockade on Iranian ports.

The Iranian Foreign Minister arrived in Islamabad yesterday, Friday, as part of a regional tour that also includes Russia and Oman, which hosted the negotiations before the Israeli-American war on Iran, which broke out on February 28 of this year.

American Confirmation of a Second Round

Simultaneously with Araqchi's visit to Pakistan, White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt confirmed that envoys Steve Wittkoff and Jared Kushner will depart this morning to Islamabad to hold direct talks with the Iranian side, mediated by Pakistan.

The White House spokeswoman stated that Vice President J.D. Vance "will remain deeply involved in the ongoing process concerning Iran."

For his part, President Donald Trump stated that Iran is eager to hold talks and explore the possibility of reaching an agreement, and intends to present a proposal that meets American demands.

The Washington Post reported today that the White House spokeswoman said that President Trump focuses on negotiations to ensure the removal of the Iranian nuclear threat, pointing out that he clarified that "economic disturbances are temporary and the world will become safer," as Levitt quoted him.

The Washington Post had previously reported that officials stated that the decision not to send the American Vice President to Islamabad aligns with protocol, which dictates that he negotiate with counterparts at the same level, indicating that his absence may make it easier for the U.S. administration to handle the media repercussions of failed talks.

Al-New York Times also reported yesterday that Iranian officials stated that Araqchi would head to Islamabad carrying a written response to the American proposal for a peace agreement, and it is expected that he will meet in Pakistan with Wittkoff and Kushner to continue negotiations.

Iranian Denial

Following the confirmation from the White House regarding direct talks with the Iranian side, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman stated that there are no plans to hold any meeting between Iran and the U.S. in Islamabad.

The Iranian television also stated yesterday evening that Araqchi does not plan to meet Wittkoff and Kushner, pointing out that the Pakistani mediator will convey Tehran's observations regarding ways to halt escalation to the American side.

Fars news agency reported that sources close to the Iranian Supreme National Security Council stated that there are no negotiations with the United States.

American Proposal

According to Al Jazeera’s office director in Tehran, information and sources indicate that a proposal has reached the Iranians from the Americans via Pakistan, centering on how to deal with the blockade of Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz, and the mechanism that could serve as a middle ground between what satisfies Tehran and what satisfies Washington.

The director mentioned that Araqchi’s visit enjoys the support of the Iranian National Security Council and revealed – based on his information and sources in Iran – that the level of negotiation and the Iranian negotiating team may change, and negotiations may take place between Araqchi and American envoy Steve Wittkoff, and the location of the negotiations may shift from Pakistan to Oman.

It is likely that the involvement of Oman and Russia in these discussions confirms the existence of other proposals, and that the Russian side will attempt to overcome obstacles between Washington and Tehran, especially regarding the Iranian nuclear program.

While the U.S. is adamant that negotiations will be held, and Iran denies their occurrence, Al Jazeera correspondent Farah al-Zaman Shauqi states that intensive security preparations are underway in Islamabad, and that Pakistan is acting as if it is preparing for Iranian-American talks, while anticipation remains the leading sentiment for what may unfold in the upcoming hours regarding this matter.