ISLAMABAD – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in the Pakistani capital on Friday evening for critical talks with Pakistani mediators, marking the first diplomatic movement toward a potential second round of US-Iran negotiations .
Araghchi, leading a delegation from Tehran, will discuss “key preconditions” that must be addressed before any direct engagement with US representatives can proceed, a Pakistani official source told Xinhua. Major sticking points include the lifting of the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and the release of seized ships and crew .
The Iranian foreign minister described his visit as part of a broader regional tour to “closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments,” including planned stops in Muscat and Moscow .
US President Donald Trump has dispatched his son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff to lead the American side, CNN reported citing US officials. Vice President JD Vance remains on standby and could travel to Islamabad if negotiations gain momentum .
Pakistan’s capital remains under a tight security lockdown, with the Red Zone cordoned off and roads closed in anticipation of high-level meetings. The Serena Hotel, which hosted the first round of talks on April 11-12, remains under heavy guard .
Pakistani officials say the US advance team is already on the ground, and the American delegation is expected to arrive on Saturday if the Iranian side signals willingness to proceed .
The fragile ceasefire brokered by Pakistan has been extended indefinitely at Islamabad’s request, but Washington has maintained the naval blockade of Iranian ports, a condition Tehran says makes direct negotiations impossible .
