Iranian International Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) meets with Pakistani Chief of Basic Workers Asim Munir (R) amid efforts to revive stalled peace talks between the U.S. and Iran to finish their eight-week warfare, in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, on April 25, 2026.
Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Pictures
Iran’s international minister briefly visited Islamabad once more on Sunday as Pakistan’s political and army management scrambled to reignite ceasefire negotiations between Tehran and Washington, however U.S. President Donald Trump stated they may discuss by telephone as a substitute.
Abbas Araghchi had left Pakistan’s capital late the day before today, creating confusion round an anticipated second spherical of talks there, however he returned earlier than persevering with on to Moscow on Sunday, Iranian state media stated. He had been in Oman, which beforehand mediated talks and is on the opposite facet of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The White Home final week stated it could dispatch envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad to observe up on historic face-to-face talks earlier this month. However shortly after Araghchi’s departure Saturday, Trump stated he had referred to as off the mission due to an absence of progress with Iran.
“If they need, we are able to discuss however we’re not sending folks,” Trump informed Fox Information on Sunday. He stated earlier on social media: “All they should do is name!!!”
Oblique talks between the 2 sides have been ongoing, two Pakistani officers stated, talking on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to talk to the media.
Trump final week indefinitely prolonged the ceasefire that the U.S. and Iran agreed to on April 7, which has largely halted the combating that started with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28. However a everlasting settlement stays elusive within the warfare that has killed 1000’s of individuals and shaken the worldwide economic system.
Strait of Hormuz at middle of Iran’s talks in Oman
A standoff stays on the Strait of Hormuz, an important world waterway, as Iran restricts motion by means of it and the U.S. enforces a blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran desires to steer Oman to help a mechanism to gather tolls from vessels passing by means of the strait, by means of which a fifth of the world’s oil flows in peacetime, based on a regional official who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of he was not approved to debate the matter.
Oman’s response wasn’t instantly clear.
The official, who’s concerned in mediation efforts, additionally stated Iran insists on ending the U.S. blockade earlier than a brand new spherical of talks and that Pakistan-led mediators are attempting to bridge important gaps between the international locations.
Araghchi additionally spoke by telephone with counterparts in Qatar and Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Even earlier than Saturday’s developments, Iran’s international ministry stated any talks could be oblique and Pakistani officers would act as go-betweens, reflecting Tehran’s wariness after rounds of oblique talks final 12 months and earlier this 12 months ended with Iran being attacked by the U.S. and Israel.
Trump stated Iran has supplied a ‘significantly better’ proposal
The financial fallout is rising two months into the warfare as world shipments of oil, liquefied pure fuel, fertilizer and different provides are disrupted by the near-closure of the strategic strait.
Either side have continued to make army threats. Iran’s joint army command on Saturday warned that “if the U.S. continues its aggressive army actions, together with naval blockades, banditry, and piracy” it’s going to face a “robust response.”
Trump final week ordered the army to “shoot and kill” small boats that could possibly be inserting mines within the waterway.
Trump informed journalists on Saturday, earlier than a safety incident on the White Home Correspondents’ Dinner, that inside 10 minutes of his canceling Witkoff and Kushner’s journey to Islamabad, Iran despatched a “significantly better” proposal.
He didn’t elaborate however burdened that certainly one of his circumstances is that Iran “won’t have a nuclear weapon.” The standing of Iran’s enriched uranium has lengthy been on the middle of tensions. Tehran has 440 kilograms (972 kilos) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, a brief, technical step from weapons-grade ranges, based on the U.N. nuclear watchdog company.
Syed Mohammad Ali, an impartial political analyst in Pakistan, stated the delay within the talks should not be seen as a setback and that oblique talks have been progressing. He stated tensions between Washington and Tehran can’t be eased in a single day and the negotiation course of requires persistence.
“However the good factor is that the ceasefire is holding, and each side have a need to finish the battle in a approach that doesn’t backfire at dwelling,” Ali stated.
A rising toll at the same time as fragile ceasefires maintain
Because the warfare started, a minimum of 3,375 folks have been killed in Iran and a minimum of 2,509 folks in Lebanon, the place the Israel-Hezbollah combating resumed two days after the Iran warfare began.
Additionally, 23 folks have been killed in Israel and greater than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli troopers in Lebanon, 13 U.S. service members within the area and 6 U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have been killed.
One other ceasefire — between Israel and the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant Hezbollah group — has been prolonged by three weeks. Hezbollah has not participated within the Washington-brokered diplomacy.
