Witkoff, Kushner head to Pakistan for Iran talks; Vance on standby

WASHINGTON: The White House has said that US Special Envoy on the Middle East Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner will head back to Pakistan tomorrow (Sunday) to participate in the phase two of Islamabad talks.

In her interview with Fox News, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “I confirm that Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Pakistan again tomorrow morning to engage in direct talks, facilitated by Pakistan. The Pakistani side has been an invaluable friend and mediator throughout this process, with representatives from the Iranian delegation also taking part.”

Responding to a question, the press secretary said, “Everyone will be on standby to travel to Pakistan if necessary. However, first, Steve and Jared will head there to brief the president, the vice president, and the rest of the team.”

BREAKING: Karoline Leavitt confirms Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff will head back to Pakistan tomorrow for peace talks with Iran.@AmericaRpts @johnrobertsFox pic.twitter.com/npLePI513c

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She also added, “The president, vice president, and secretary of state will remain in the United States awaiting updates. The vice president, I understand, is also on standby and prepared to travel to Pakistan if it is deemed necessary.”

“The Iranians reached out, as the president had called on them to do, and requested this in-person conversation,” she said.

“The president always prefers to give diplomacy a chance. It is his first option, and he is willing to do so again in this case,” Leavitt added.

The announcement by the White House comes after the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed his arrival in Islamabad tonight along with a small negotiating team. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said earlier that he will begin a regional tour on Friday evening, travelling to Islamabad, Muscat and Moscow,” the official IRNA news agency confirmed.

However, Iran’s state media also said that Araghchi would hold “bilateral consultations”.

“The purpose of this trip is to hold bilateral consultations, discuss ongoing developments in the region, and review the latest situation regarding the war imposed by the US and the Israeli regime against Iran.”

“The purpose of my visits is to closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments. Our neighbours are our priority,” he said.