US and Iranian Delegations Arrive in Islamabad for Indirect Talks
A United States negotiating delegation led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner is traveling to Islamabad on Saturday to engage in diplomatic discussions with Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has already arrived in the Pakistani capital to lead his country’s delegation. The White House publicly confirmed the travel itinerary, marking the second round of Pakistan-mediated negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
The talks will be conducted exclusively through indirect channels, with Pakistani officials acting as neutral facilitators. Both the Iranian Foreign Ministry and US representatives have confirmed that no direct face-to-face meetings between American and Iranian diplomats are scheduled. All proposals and diplomatic responses will be formally exchanged through the Pakistani mediation team.
President Donald Trump stated that Washington maintains ongoing dialogue with Iranian officials and expects Tehran to submit a formal proposal addressing US demands. Iranian spokespersons have consistently clarified that all communications will remain routed through established third-party channels. In preparation for the diplomatic activity, Islamabad authorities have imposed a strict security lockdown across the city, which includes major road closures and the temporary evacuation of several hotels. The indirect negotiations proceed amid heightened regional tensions concerning maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
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Where reports agree
- US envoys (Witkoff and Kushner) are traveling to Islamabad on Saturday.
- Iranian delegation, led by FM Abbas Araghchi, is already in Islamabad.
- Talks are indirect and mediated by Pakistan; no direct US-Iran meetings are planned.
- Pakistan is acting as a neutral facilitator for the negotiations.
Where reports differ
- Khaama Press reports extensive security lockdowns and hotel evacuations in Islamabad, which are not mentioned by Amu TV or RTA.
- Amu TV highlights Trump's statements on ongoing dialogue and expected Iranian proposals, while RTA focuses on the Iranian spokesperson's clarification on indirect channels, and Khaama Press adds regional context regarding Strait of Hormuz tensions.
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