Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday for potential ceasefire negotiations. Pakistan is acting as the mediator to bring the United States and Iran back to the table for a possible second round of peace talks. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner will travel to Pakistan on Saturday morning to meet with Iran.
The discussions come as the world remains on edge over a war that has left thousands dead across the Middle East and disrupted crucial energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz, clouding the global economic picture. A U.S. logistics and security team is already in place in Islamabad. Meanwhile, residents of the twin-city area are facing road closures, halted courts, and growing economic strain as the city hosts the delegations.
Conflicting signals have emerged regarding the nature of the meetings. While the White House expects talks, Iran's foreign ministry has ruled out direct talks, and some Pakistani sources suggest Araghchi is not slated to meet U.S. negotiators. However, President Trump stated that Iran plans to make an offer aimed at satisfying U.S. demands, though he did not yet know the specific details. It is believed that Araghchi may be carrying a written response to a U.S. proposal to end the war.