U.S. envoys travelled to Islamabad on Saturday to revive stalled peace talks with Iran, although Tehran signalled it may avoid direct negotiations.
White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to hold an “in-person conversation” with Iranian representatives, according to the White House. However, Iranian state media said no face-to-face meeting is currently planned.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday and met Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, a central figure in mediation efforts. Tehran indicated Pakistan would act as an intermediary, relaying proposals between the two sides.
The talks come amid mounting pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Iran has effectively restricted access to the waterway, allowing only limited traffic and triggering volatility in energy markets.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Tehran had requested the meeting following calls from Donald Trump for renewed dialogue. She added the discussions could “move the ball forward towards a deal.” Vice President JD Vance, who led earlier talks in Islamabad, remains on standby.
Iran, however, has refused to return fully to negotiations while a U.S. naval blockade of its ports remains in place. An Iranian defence ministry statement accused Washington and its allies of seeking a “face-saving way to escape the war quagmire.”
European Council president Antonio Costa said reopening Hormuz “without restrictions” was “vital for the entire world.”
Ceasefire tensions persist
Separately, Trump this week extended a ceasefire in Lebanon and expressed optimism about a potential agreement involving Israel and Lebanon—countries formally at war for decades.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said efforts were under way to reach a “historic peace,” but warned that Hezbollah was attempting to derail the process. Hezbollah parliamentary leader Mohammed Raad rejected the talks, saying any deal would lack national consensus.
