Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi returned to Islamabad on Sunday, a day after departing the country, as US President Donald Trump cancelled a planned visit by American negotiators to Pakistan. Araghchi also visited Oman on Saturday and is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday. There are no signs, however, that direct talks between Tehran and Washington are set to resume.
Iran's ISNA news agency reported that Tehran had transmitted "written messages" to the US via Pakistani mediators, addressing "some of the red lines of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz". The agency stressed these messages were not part of any negotiations.
Iranian media said Araghchi's second visit to Pakistan aimed to share "Iran's positions and views on the framework of any understanding to completely end the war". During his first visit on Friday and Saturday, he met with Pakistan's military chief Asim Munir, a key mediator, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Other Iranian envoys then returned to Tehran "to consult and obtain the necessary instructions on issues related to ending the war", according to ISNA.
Araghchi described his Pakistan trip on Saturday as "very fruitful" but expressed scepticism about Washington's intentions, insisting he had "yet to see if the US is truly serious about diplomacy."
US Cancels Negotiating Team's Trip to Pakistan
US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner were scheduled to travel to Pakistan on Saturday for an "in-person conversation" with Iran, according to the White House. Trump later cancelled the trip, saying there was no point "sitting around talking about nothing". Iranian state media, however, had earlier said direct talks were never on the table.
"They gave us a paper that should have been better and - interestingly - immediately when I cancelled it, within 10 minutes, we got a new paper that was much better," Trump told reporters. Later that evening, a gunman was arrested at the White House correspondents' dinner, though Trump said he did not think it was related to Iran. On Sunday, Trump stated: "We're not doing this anymore. We have all the cards. If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us, you know there is a telephone, we have nice secure lines."
The developments come amid broader tensions in the region. Iran's FM Visits Pakistan for Indirect Talks, Rules Out Direct US Negotiations highlights the ongoing diplomatic manoeuvring.
Hormuz Blockade Remains in Place
The vital Strait of Hormuz oil and gas route continues to be blocked, with no sign of reopening. Iran's Revolutionary Guards posted on their Telegram channel that "controlling the Strait of Hormuz and maintaining the shadow of its deterrent effects over America and the White House's supporters in the region is the definitive strategy of Islamic Iran." The US has blockaded Iran's ports in retaliation, with Iranian state media warning that "blockading, banditry and piracy" would result in a response.
Israel and Hezbollah Trade Accusations Over Ceasefire Violations
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon, accusing the Iran-backed group of violating a ceasefire agreement. During a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said "it must be understood that Hezbollah's violations are, in practice, dismantling the ceasefire." Hezbollah responded by announcing it would retaliate against Israel's ceasefire violations and its "continued occupation of Lebanese territory".
Official Lebanese media reported that Israel ordered evacuations for seven locations in the country. Subsequent aerial attacks caused casualties, destroyed a mosque and another religious building, according to the country's national news agency. Israel's military said on Sunday evening that one of its soldiers was killed "during combat" in southern Lebanon and six others were wounded, four of them severely.
The situation has broader European implications. NATO Members Show Little Enthusiasm for Joining Iran Conflict, Says Norwegian Minister reflects the cautious stance of European allies. Meanwhile, EU Ministers Reject Suspension of Israel Trade Deal Over War Crimes Allegations underscores the bloc's delicate balancing act in the region.
