Araghchi’s Russia, regional tour tests path to breaking US-Iran deadlock
Iranian officials say dialogue remains open, but negotiations are clouded by intensifying hard-line domestic messaging and conflicting signals over Tehran’s red lines.
TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Islamabad on Friday as part of a broader tour, as Pakistan sustained its role as a mediator seeking to preserve ceasefire-linked diplomatic channels between Tehran and Washington. The visit comes amid hardened positions on core issues, with both Iran and the United States maintaining indirect engagement even as key differences continue to stall progress.
"Embarking on timely tour of Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow," Araghchi confirmed on his X account, describing the purpose as close coordination "with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments."
Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), cited its own sources as saying that Araghchi is tasked with relaying "Iran's considerations on how to end the war" to Pakistani officials after President Donald Trump this week extended the ceasefire seemingly indefinitely.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were sent to Islamabad on Friday, while Vice President JD Vance — currently the leading US representative on the talks — remained behind. Talks scheduled for last week, marking the second round following the April 11 discussions, were canceled after those earlier meetings failed to produce a breakthrough.
