Iran has asked for a meeting. A high-level US delegation heads to Pakistan to resume negotiations
White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt confirmed on Friday that a high-level US delegation led by Special Envoy Steve Whitkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Saturday, coinciding with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's departure there tonight.
Face-to-face meetings and upcoming negotiations
"I can confirm that Special Envoy Whitkoff and Jared Kushner will be heading to Pakistan tomorrow morning for talks with representatives of the Iranian delegation," Levitt told Fox News, noting that Vice President J.D. Vance is not expected to be on the trip.
Levitt explained that the Iranian side was the one who communicated with the United States and requested a direct meeting, stressing that the delegation will submit a comprehensive report to the president and vice president after the talks end.
In this context, Al-Arabiya Al-Hadath sources reported that the Islamabad meetings may take on a direct or indirect nature between Tehran and Washington, while two US officials told Axios that the US delegation will discuss with Araghchi a draft agreement to stop the war.
Thorny Files and Regional Coordination
The sources explained that Iran is urging the Pakistani side (mediator) to support the lifting of the US embargo to advance the negotiations, in light of sensitive discussions related to the situation of the Strait of Hormuz and the fate of enriched uranium. CNN revealed that Witkov and Kushner have been working for months with the Iranian side to reach a sustainable agreement, after the failure of a previous round of negotiations held on April 11 headed by Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Jay de Vance.
Iranian tour and positive indicators
For his part, Abbas Araqchi stressed that his visit to Pakistan, as part of a tour that includes the Sultanate of Oman and Russia, aims to coordinate on bilateral issues and regional developments, stressing in a post on the "X" platform that "neighbors are our priority."
Diplomatic circles in Islamabad considered the return of contacts by Araqchi to be a positive sign, especially after the scene faltered earlier this week following Tehran's last-minute retreat from sending its delegation and the subsequent escalation of mutual threats. Pakistani authorities are striving to bring views closer and convey concerns between the two parties to ensure the success of this crucial round of negotiations.