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The uncertainty around the second round of talks between Washington and Tehran deepened on Saturday as Iran's Foreign Minister Syed Abbas Araghchi and his delegation left Islamabad after meeting Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and other top officials.
The Pakistani Prime Minister’s Office posted a video showing glimpses of the meeting, which was also attended by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Asim Munir. However, there was no clarity on the agenda, apart from a vague reference to discussions on the regional situation.
Araghchi’s meeting comes as a US delegation comprising Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner is expected to travel to Islamabad for a second round of talks. However, Iran has shown no inclination to hold direct talks with the United States.
Pakistan has emerged as a mediator for the talks, with Iran using it as a conduit to convey its peace proposals to the United States.
Talks between the two geopolitical rivals have stalled after the US Navy began blockading the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway that accounts for a third of the world's energy supplies, in response to Iran's closure of the route.
The conflict has entered its ninth week. While US President Donald Trump has extended the ceasefire, Iranian sources have reiterated that Tehran won't accept "maximalist demands" by the US to end the war.
It is important to highlight that the first round of talks on April 11 ended in failure, with Iran citing what it described as excessive demands — halting nuclear enrichment, surrendering its uranium stockpile, ceasing support for regional allies, and allowing US control over the Strait of Hormuz.
The buzz around a potential second round of talks grew on Friday after Trump announced a two-member delegation for negotiations, while US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Iran to make a “good deal” before time runs out, by addressing nuclear disarmament in “meaningful and verifiable ways.”
Since the conflict began on February 28, significant developments have unfolded. Iran now asserts that any talks with the United States should focus on securing its core interests and demands, rather than focusing on nuclear weapons. Moreover, Iran has linked its willingness to resume negotiations on the lifting of the blockade, which it has condemned as "an act of aggression."
As the standoff continues, all eyes remain on whether the diplomatic channels can break the impasse and pave the way for meaningful negotiations. The coming days could prove crucial in determining whether tensions de-escalate or escalate further in the region.
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Published By:
Aprameya Rao
Published On:
Apr 25, 2026 19:48 IST
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