Islamabad: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, in Islamabad as an Iranian delegation arrived in the capital amid a deepening diplomatic deadlock with the United States. The high-level meeting took place under heavy security, with major roads sealed and the Red Zone placed under a strict cordon.
In a separate engagement, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar welcomed Araghchi, saying he looked forward to meaningful discussions aimed at promoting regional peace and stability.
The visit comes at a sensitive time, as the White House recently announced that envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would also travel to the region for possible talks with Iran. However, Tehran has firmly stated that it will not engage in direct discussions with the US.
The diplomatic tensions have disrupted daily life in Islamabad, with markets in the Blue Area largely deserted and public transport severely affected. Residents are facing shortages of essential commodities and growing psychological stress due to the prolonged uncertainty.
This follows a similar shutdown on April 11–12 during earlier talks that ended without any breakthrough. The ongoing deadlock centers on three key issues: Iran’s highly enriched uranium and nuclear ambitions, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and Israel’s military actions in Lebanon.
While the US has expressed willingness for in-person talks, Iran’s state media has rejected the possibility. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said US envoys are hopeful of making progress, even as Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that previous negotiations failed to yield results.
These tensions mark some of the most significant diplomatic strain since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran has refused to resume talks while a US naval blockade remains in place, and in response, has enforced a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global energy markets.
Meanwhile, the US continues to increase its military presence in the region, deploying the USS George HW Bush aircraft carrier and imposing fresh sanctions targeting Iranian oil trade networks.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office stated that Araghchi’s visit will include meetings with senior leadership to discuss regional developments and peace efforts, even as Islamabad remains in a state of near standstill with uncertainty over whether new talks will take place.
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