Pakistan’s mediation role is again in the spotlight as it hosts Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday for further discussions linked to negotiations with the United States, officials said.
The visit comes less than 24 hours after Araghchi concluded high-level meetings in Islamabad and traveled to Muscat. He had originally been expected to proceed directly to Moscow, making his return to Pakistan a notable shift in diplomatic sequencing.
The development follows President Donald Trump’s decision to cancel his advisers’ planned trip to Pakistan, underscoring Washington’s demand for meaningful progress on its peace proposal.
According to Iran’s official news agency IRNA, Araghchi is expected to convey “Iran’s positions and views on the framework of any understanding to completely end the war” during his renewed engagement in Islamabad.
Testing Moment for Diplomacy
The renewed diplomatic activity comes amid heightened regional tensions and efforts to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Islamabad hosted the first round of talks between the United States and Iran on April 11–12, marking the first direct engagement between the two sides in decades. The discussions were led by JD Vance and Iran’s parliamentary speaker.
Pakistan, which shares deep historical, cultural and economic ties with Iran, has emerged as a key intermediary, leveraging its relations with both Tehran and Washington.
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Officials say Islamabad remains committed to advancing dialogue and reducing tensions, emphasizing that sustained diplomatic engagement is essential to achieving regional stability.
However, a planned second round of talks last week did not take place after Tehran withheld confirmation of its participation, while the U.S. delegation did not proceed with travel.
Since then, Trump has extended the Islamabad-brokered ceasefire to allow Tehran more time to formulate a unified response to the U.S. proposal.
Washington says Iran has a “historic opportunity” to reach an agreement, while Tehran maintains it will not engage in face-to-face talks as long as U.S. naval restrictions on its ports remain in place.
Yesterday, M/V Sevan was among 19 “shadow fleet” vessels sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Treasury for activities related to transporting billions of dollars worth of Iranian energy, oil and gas products, including propane and butane, to foreign markets.
Earlier today, Sevan… pic.twitter.com/7HdJ5iHNF7
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 25, 2026
Meanwhile, Iran has also imposed constraints on international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil trade passes.
The maritime tensions, combined with the diplomatic impasse, have added to Islamabad’s challenge in pushing negotiations toward a substantive breakthrough.
Telephone Diplomacy with Tehran
Shortly after Araghchi’s departure on Saturday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a nearly 50-minute telephone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to an official statement.
The two leaders discussed the regional situation and ongoing efforts to promote peace and stability. Sharif welcomed Iran’s decision to send a high-level delegation to the April 11–12 talks, including his detailed meeting with Araghchi.
He also briefed Pezeshkian on his outreach to global leaders, saying it had helped build broader support for dialogue as a pathway to resolving the conflict.
Sharif described Field Marshal Asim Munir’s recent visit to Tehran as “useful” and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to sustained efforts for regional peace and security.
High-Level Engagements in Islamabad
During his visit on Friday and Saturday, Araghchi met Sharif, Munir and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar before departing for Muscat.
In remarks following the meetings, Sharif said discussions were held in a “cordial and friendly atmosphere” and covered regional developments, bilateral ties and issues of mutual interest.
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He added that Pakistan would continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace, stability and diplomatic engagement across the region.
Trump Seeks Progress on Peace Proposal
Trump said Saturday that he canceled the planned visit by his advisers after Iran’s initial response to a U.S. proposal fell short of expectations, although a subsequent reply showed signs of improvement.
While details of the proposal have not been made public, it is widely understood to center on Iran scaling back uranium enrichment and easing restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz as part of efforts to end the conflict.
Trump said it was not worth sending a U.S. delegation—including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner—on an 18-hour trip without clear progress.
“We have all the cards,” Trump said, adding that Iran could reach out at any time but that Washington would not pursue talks without substantive movement.
Since the conflict began on February 28, Trump has maintained that Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons.
Tehran’s Response and Future Cooperation
Pezeshkian thanked Pakistan’s leadership for its role in facilitating diplomatic efforts, expressing Iran’s desire for peace and confidence that bilateral ties would continue to deepen.
Sharif conveyed greetings to Iran’s Supreme Leader, and both sides agreed to maintain close coordination as discussions continue, according to the statement.
Kiran Asim is a writer who covers the U.S., Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East. Her reports and analyses look at the geostrategic issues and contemporary developments and their economic and political implications. She also writes about society and education.
