Islamabad, April 25, (dpa/GNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has left Islamabad without meeting US officials, Pakistani security sources said on Saturday, dealing a fresh blow to efforts to negotiate an end to the war in the Middle East.
A trip to Pakistan by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has been cancelled, US media reported.
On Friday, the White House said the two men would depart on Saturday morning, but US broadcaster Fox News said Trump told the delegation not to make the trip.
Axios reporter Barak Ravid, wrote on X that Trump told him by phone the visit was cancelled.
Araghchi travelled to Islamabad on Friday evening for talks to resolve the conflict with the US. He met with representatives of Pakistan, which has been mediating in the conflict.
Pakistani security sources said Araghchi planned to discuss a counter-proposal in the negotiations with the US. The Iranian side, consistently said it did not plan to meet with US representatives during the trip.
However, there had been speculation as to whether indirect negotiations between Iran and the US might take place, with both sides exchanging messages.
Araghchi first met with the Pakistani army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who is playing a key role in mediation efforts. The Iranian minister then spoke with Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, according to a statement from his office.
Pakistani Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, said the meeting with Sharif lasted around two hours.
Reports on Friday said Araghchi planned to travel on to Oman, and later to Moscow, following his visit to Islamabad.
US broadcaster CBS News reported that Araghchi was expected to return to Islamabad on Sunday or Monday, citing Pakistani officials.
GNA