A silhouetted man stands next to advertisement posters reading “Islamabad Talks” at the Convention Centre, as Pakistan prepares to host the U.S. and Iran for the second phase of peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan April 22, 2026. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro
Islamabad, April 25 (ANI): The Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed Islamabad on Saturday evening, effectively ending Pakistan’s efforts to host a second round of US-Iran dialogue.
According to reports, the delegation concluded its visit after handing over an “official list of demands” to Pakistani authorities, outlining preconditions for resolving the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The visit included high-level meetings with Pakistan’s leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Despite the presence of senior civilian and military officials, the talks did not lead to direct engagement between Iran and the United States. Reports indicated that Tehran declined to meet the visiting US delegation, which included Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
The Iranian side reportedly conveyed its demands through Pakistan, including the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz.
Following the meetings, Araghchi is scheduled to travel to Oman and Russia, signaling a shift in diplomatic engagement away from Islamabad.
Earlier expectations of hosting high-level negotiations between Tehran and Washington had led to heightened security measures in the Pakistani capital, including restrictions in key zones and road closures. However, the anticipated talks did not materialize.
In a statement on X, Sharif described the meeting as a “warm and cordial exchange of views” focused on strengthening Pakistan-Iran relations. Ishaq Dar also reiterated the importance of dialogue and diplomacy.
The developments follow a previous round of talks in Islamabad involving US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, which did not produce a breakthrough.
With the Iranian delegation’s departure, Pakistan’s role in facilitating direct US-Iran negotiations remains uncertain, as diplomatic efforts appear to shift toward other regional actors. (ANI)
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