Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi returned to Islamabad on Sunday as Pakistan intensified efforts to revive ceasefire talks between Tehran and Washington amid ongoing regional tensions. Araghchi held discussions with Pakistan’s political and military leaders before heading to Moscow for further negotiations, with the Russian Foreign Ministry confirming his planned visit to meet with President Vladimir Putin to consult on the status of the ceasefire talks and related developments.

Araghchi’s return to Pakistan followed his meetings in Oman, where he conferred with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al-Said. According to an Iranian Foreign Ministry statement, the talks in Muscat focused on security concerns in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Gulf region. Araghchi emphasized the need for a regional security framework free from external interference and criticized the U.S. military presence in the Middle East, which he said contributed to instability and division.

In Islamabad, Araghchi met with key figures including Pakistan’s military chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Pakistani officials involved in the mediation highlighted that bridging fundamental differences between Washington and Tehran remains a challenge, particularly regarding Iran’s demand for an end to the U.S. blockade of its ports before any substantive negotiations can proceed. Discussions have also centered on potential arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route that handles about one-fifth of global oil shipments, with Iran reportedly seeking Omani support for a mechanism to collect tolls from vessels passing through the strait.

The diplomatic momentum faced setbacks when U.S. President Donald Trump canceled a planned visit to Islamabad by his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, citing concerns over the adequacy of Iran’s proposal and the costs involved in the trip. Trump said Iran could initiate talks by phone and reiterated that any agreement must include a commitment from Tehran to forgo nuclear weapons. “They know what has to be in the agreement. It’s very simple: they cannot have a nuclear weapon, otherwise there’s no reason to meet,” he stated in an interview.

Following the canceled visit, two U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft transporting security personnel and equipment for U.S. officials departed Pakistan. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian conveyed to Prime Minister Sharif in a phone call that Tehran would not engage in “imposed negotiations” under threats or blockade conditions. He stressed the U.S. should first remove obstacles such as the maritime blockade before peace talks could meaningfully advance.

While Araghchi described his initial trip to Pakistan as "very fruitful," he expressed skepticism about Washington’s readiness for genuine diplomacy. Tensions between the U.S. and Iran persist as both sides await a breakthrough, with Pakistan and Oman continuing to play key roles as mediators in the search for a resolution.