The Pakistani Foreign Ministry confirmed that Mr. Araqchi arrived in Islamabad and immediately had a meeting with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar at the Serena Hotel, where the previous round of negotiations between Iran and the US took place. The city center area was strengthened with the presence of military and paramilitary forces.
US President Donald Trump said Iran is expected to make a proposal to meet Washington's requirements, although he is not clear about the content. The White House assessed that there has been some progress from Iran in recent days and expects further contacts to be effective.
A spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said Tehran has no plans to meet directly with US representatives, although special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to go to Islamabad. Iran will convey its views through Pakistan.
Mr. Araqchi's visit also includes Oman and Russia, to coordinate with partners on bilateral issues and consult on regional developments. Qatar also pledged to support Pakistan's mediating role in reconciliation efforts.
Previous negotiations have not yielded results as the two sides did not attend the scheduled dialogue round. President Donald Trump has extended the ceasefire for another two weeks to facilitate the resumption of negotiations.
Tensions between the two countries remain high as the US maintains a blockade of Iran's maritime trade, while Tehran controls the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic transport route is almost paralyzed, with the number of ships passing through sharply reduced compared to before the conflict.
Oil prices continue to fluctuate due to concerns about supply disruptions. Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that Iran still has a chance to reach an agreement if it abandons its nuclear program in a verifiable way.
