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Iran says no plans for US meeting in Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD: Iran’s foreign ministry on Saturday denied any plans for a meeting with the United States in Pakistan, even as senior Iranian and Pakistani officials held talks in Islamabad and Washington signalled potential diplomatic engagement.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said there was “no arrangement at any level” for a meeting between Iran and the United States during the visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Pakistan.
Baghaei, who arrived in Islamabad with Araghchi, said the Iranian delegation would hold discussions with Pakistan’s leadership on bilateral ties, regional developments and Islamabad’s mediation efforts.
He said that the talks would also cover what he described as “aggressive measures imposed by the United States” and efforts to restore regional stability.
“The Iranian delegation will brief Pakistan on its positions and assessments,” Baghaei said in a social media post.
His remarks came after White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told US media that Iran had sought direct engagement and requested a face-to-face meeting. She confirmed that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Pakistan for talks.
Separately, Araghchi met Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir and Foreign Minister Ishaq dar, according to a statement from the Iranian embassy.
He is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later on Saturday, with senior political and military officials expected to attend.
Discussions are likely to focus on bilateral relations, regional security and diplomatic coordination.
Iranian officials are expected to continue consultations in Muscat and Moscow following the Islamabad visit.
Iranian authorities said outcomes of consultations with Pakistan could be shared with US officials, while the timing of any potential negotiations between Tehran and Washington remains undecided.
Leavitt said US Vice President JD Vance would not join the initial round of talks but remained involved in the process alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
She added that while Vance would stay in the United States for now, he could travel to Pakistan if required.
Leavitt also said Washington had seen “positive signals” from Iran in recent days indicating readiness for direct talks, while describing the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire as a significant diplomatic development.
Araghchi, after concluding engagements in Islamabad, is expected to travel onward to Muscat and Moscow for further diplomatic consultations.
Tensions in Gulf
In a separate development, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had seized two vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, accusing them of violating maritime regulations and cooperating with the US military.
The IRGC, cited by Tasnim news agency, said the vessels had been under surveillance and had made multiple trips to US ports over the past six months, raising suspicions about their activities. It added that the ships were seized after ignoring repeated warnings and engaging in actions that threatened regional security.
EU signals flexibility
Meanwhile, the European Union indicated it could consider easing sanctions on Iran if a comprehensive agreement is reached with the United States.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told European leaders that sanctions relief could help advance a lasting ceasefire, according to media reports. The comments came during a summit in Cyprus involving leaders from Egypt, Syria and Lebanon, where regional security and Iran were on the agenda.
European Council President Antonio Costa called for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions or tariffs, citing its importance for global energy supplies.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that failure to secure a robust agreement — similar to the Iran nuclear deal 2015 — could result in a more dangerous situation.
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