Islamabad, April 25, 2026 — Pakistan is stepping into a mediatory role between the United States and Iran amid escalating tensions, but no direct meeting between the two sides is currently planned in Islamabad.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, is presently in the Pakistani capital as part of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation. According to Iran’s state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Islamabad is acting as a “bridge” to convey Tehran’s proposals and concerns to Washington.
The mediation process is aimed at building mutual trust before any face-to-face negotiations can take place. Pakistani officials are expected to hold separate meetings with delegations from both countries, facilitating indirect dialogue.
Earlier, the White House confirmed that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump, are scheduled to visit Islamabad. Their mission includes evaluating Iran’s proposals and Tehran’s request for direct engagement.
President Trump has already stated that the U.S. naval blockade will remain in place until a lasting resolution is achieved, particularly regarding the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program.
Reports suggest that if sufficient progress is made through these indirect discussions, officials from both sides may agree to hold direct talks as early as Sunday.
Although Iranian officials described Araghchi’s visit as focused on bilateral issues between Iran and Pakistan, the broader significance of the trip lies in its potential to pave the way for renewed diplomatic engagement between United States and Iran.
