Islamabad, Apr 25 (V7N) — Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghei has clarified that no direct meeting has been scheduled between Iranian and United States representatives during Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s current visit to the Pakistani capital. In a statement posted on social media early Saturday morning, Baghei confirmed that while the Iranian delegation has arrived in Islamabad for high-level consultations, their primary objective is to engage with Pakistani officials rather than their American counterparts. The spokesman emphasized that Iran’s strategic positions would be conveyed through Pakistani intermediaries, who continue to play a central role in regional peace efforts.

The visit comes at a critical juncture following the expiration of a two-week ceasefire that was brokered by Pakistan on April 8. During the previous round of mediated talks held on April 11 and 12, Iran presented a 10-point proposal that demanded a total withdrawal of U.S. forces from specified zones and the immediate lifting of economic sanctions. However, those discussions concluded without an agreement after 21 hours of intense deliberation. Foreign Minister Araghchi is now expected to discuss the feasibility of Pakistan's continued mediation in ending what Tehran describes as the aggressive war imposed by the United States.

Iranian officials have expressed profound skepticism regarding Washington's sincerity, citing the ongoing U.S. naval blockade as a direct violation of previous ceasefire understandings. Representatives from Tehran stated that the blockade has created a climate of deep distrust, making direct diplomacy nearly impossible at this stage. They have maintained a firm stance that the naval restrictions must be fully rescinded before any formal resumption of ceasefire negotiations can be considered.

Despite the arrival of a high-level U.S. delegation in Islamabad, the lack of a direct meeting underscores the significant diplomatic gap between the two nations. Foreign Minister Araghchi’s current tour, which will later include stops in Oman and Russia, is seen as an effort to consolidate regional support for Iran's conditions. For now, the prospect of a breakthrough remains dependent on the ability of Pakistani mediators to bridge the fundamental disagreements regarding the blockade and the long-term presence of foreign military forces in the region.

END/SMA/AJ