Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to return to Islamabad for a brief stopover on Sunday night after concluding his visit to Oman, according to Iranian state media and diplomatic sources. This development comes hours after President Donald Trump canceled a planned visit by a US delegation to Pakistan for peace negotiations.
Araghchi's Diplomatic Trip
Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday to discuss Tehran's tensions with Washington following Israeli-US strikes against Iran in February, which triggered a conflict lasting over a month. The Iranian foreign minister concluded meetings with Pakistani officials without a breakthrough and departed for Oman on Saturday night.
Trump announced on Saturday that a US delegation comprising Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would not travel to Islamabad for talks with Iran, as Tehran's revised peace offer was deemed "not enough."
Return to Islamabad
Araghchi is set to visit Pakistan again after finishing his trip to Oman and before traveling to Russia, as reported by Iran's state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). An Iranian diplomatic official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to Arab News that the foreign minister would come to Islamabad for a few hours before heading to Moscow.
IRNA stated that part of Araghchi's delegation returned to Tehran after talks with Pakistani officials in Islamabad on Saturday night. The delegation arrived in Tehran to seek guidance on issues related to ending the war and is expected to rejoin Araghchi in Islamabad on Sunday night.
Earlier, Araghchi had announced that his diplomatic trip would include Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow, aiming to strengthen coordination with these countries.
Pakistan's Mediation Role
Separately, Pakistan's top political and military leadership continues to mediate between the US and Iran, with indirect ceasefire talks still active despite mounting tensions, two Pakistani officials told AP on Sunday.
Islamabad Eases Restrictions
Meanwhile, Islamabad is gradually returning to normalcy as authorities removed roadblocks around the "Red Zone" area, which houses key government buildings. The deputy commissioner announced on Saturday that heavy and public transport has been allowed back into the capital, and all bus terminals except the one in Faizabad have reopened. Major parks and hiking trails are also accessible again after days of closure in anticipation of foreign delegations.
Islamabad Police reported a large-scale combing and search operation in various city areas, checking hundreds of people, households, and vehicles. Twenty-four suspicious individuals and 27 motorcycles were shifted to police stations for further verification.
Meetings and Impasse
During his trip, Araghchi met Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, describing the visit as "very fruitful."
Washington and Tehran remain at an impasse, with Iran restricting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy artery, while the US maintains curbs on Iranian oil exports. Pakistan has positioned itself as a key mediator, leveraging its close ties with the Trump administration and its cordial relations with neighboring Iran.
