US-Iran ceasefire talks: Abbas Araghchi arrives in Islamabad for meetings with Pakistan leaders

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reached Islamabad late Friday night for talks on regional developments and the US-Iran ceasefire. The visit brought focus back to plans for another round of US-Iran peace talks. Pakistan’s top leaders were set to meet Araghchi as Islamabad continued efforts aimed at reducing tensions in West Asia.

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Araghchi travelled with a small delegation that included Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei. A Pakistani official said Araghchi would meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Gen Asim Munir. The official added that Araghchi may also meet US officials linked to the proposed second round of talks.

US-Iran ceasefire talks in Islamabad

US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were travelling to Pakistan on Saturday for direct discussions with the Iranian delegation. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News about the plan. A Pakistani official said a US logistics and security team was already in Islamabad to support the negotiation process.

After discussions with Pakistan’s mediation team, a second round of US-Iran peace talks was expected in Islamabad, a Pakistani official said. The official said the US side could arrive on Saturday night. The official added that timing depended on an understanding being reached with Iran after work on a framework.

The US delegation was expected to continue from the April 11 talks led by Vice President J D Vance. Those talks did not secure a clear commitment from Iran on its nuclear fuel enrichment programme. There was still no official confirmation on when the next US-Iran talks would begin.

Pakistan Foreign Office on Iran visit and US-Iran ceasefire

Pakistan’s Foreign Office said Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Munir received Araghchi on arrival. Other senior officials were also present. The Foreign Office said Araghchi would meet Pakistan’s senior leadership to discuss regional developments. It said talks would also cover efforts aimed at peace and stability.

The Iranian embassy in Pakistan posted: "H.E. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Honorable Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran arrived in Islamabad in order to review bilateral matters and consulate on regional developments.\"

Before leaving Tehran, Araghchi said the trip included Pakistan, Oman and Russia for closer coordination. Araghchi wrote on X: \"Purpose of my visits is to closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments. Our neighbours are our priority,\". State-run IRNA earlier said Araghchi would discuss regional developments and the US-Iran war situation.

The Islamabad visit followed a phone call between Dar and Araghchi hours earlier. Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the leaders discussed regional developments, the ceasefire, and Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts tied to US-Iran engagement. It said Dar stressed sustained dialogue to resolve issues quickly. It added Araghchi praised Pakistan’s facilitation role.

Iranian media also reported that Araghchi spoke with Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir on Friday. Pakistan did not confirm that contact. A separate Pakistani official statement said both sides agreed to stay in close contact on the developing situation and diplomatic efforts.

Islamabad security measures amid US-Iran ceasefire talks

Islamabad remained under tight security as uncertainty continued over the proposed engagement. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met US Charge dAffaires Natalie Baker on Thursday, the interior ministry said. It said they reviewed the regional situation and discussed diplomacy around the second round of talks. It was their second meeting this week.

Officials stepped up monitoring on roads leading to Islamabad as preparations appeared to move ahead. Administrations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi closed major roads and markets in VVIP movement areas on Sunday. More than 10,000 security personnel were deployed. The Red Zone remained shut, and staff in the area worked from home.

Residents near the old airport reported days of restrictions. Streets, link roads, markets and banks remained shut for five consecutive days. Areas affected included Shah Faisal Colony, Khalid Colony, Gulzar-e-Quaid and Fazal Town. Metro Bus Service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad stopped, and electric buses on seven routes were suspended.

Goods transport stayed halted since April 19, adding to public inconvenience. Markets and commercial activity remained limited in several places due to closures. Security checks continued across the twin cities as authorities tried to maintain law and order during possible high-level movement.

Trump comments and US-Iran ceasefire tensions

On Tuesday, Donald Trump extended the two-week ceasefire with Iran indefinitely. The extension came hours before the truce was due to end. It was meant to allow Tehran more time to prepare a unified proposal to end the war. The ceasefire extension came amid military and political pressure in the region.

On Friday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth repeated Trump’s threat on Iranian fast boats. The warning referred to any attempt to place mines or block passage through the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command also said three aircraft carriers were operating together in the Middle East for the first time in decades.

US Central Command said the USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Gerald R. Ford and USS George H.W. Bush were deployed with their carrier air wings. It said the group included over 200 aircraft and 15,000 Sailors and Marines. It also said US forces had told 34 vessels to turn around or return to port since the blockade began.

Trump posted on Thursday that the US controlled the Strait of Hormuz. Trump wrote: \"It is Sealed up Tight, until such time as Iran is able to make a DEAL,\". Trump also posted: \"Trump also claimed that Iran is having a very hard time figuring out who their leader is. They just dont know! The infighting is between the Hardliners, who have been losing BADLY on the battlefield, and the Moderates, who are not very moderate at all but gaining respect!, is CRAZY!\"

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf responded with identical posts. They said: \"We are all Iranians and revolutionaries. With ironclad unity of nation and state and obedience to the Supreme Leader, we will make the aggressor regret. One God, one nation, one leader, one path; victory for Iran, dearer than life,\". Their posts were re-posted by Araghchi.

Trump earlier shared a post by a conservative commentator that called for assassinations of Iranian officials opposing diplomacy. Baqaei criticised Trump for sharing it, saying \"the US, which once presented itself as a cradle of democracy, freedom, and human values, now appears to become a promoter of terrorism, murder, and mass violence.\"

The first round of US-Iran talks on April 11 and 12 did not produce a breakthrough. Pakistan then increased diplomatic contacts to reduce tensions and try to restart dialogue. With Araghchi now in Islamabad, officials continued planning while the start time remained unannounced.

The wider conflict began after the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. The attack killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top commanders. Iran’s retaliation then widened the war across the Gulf region. These events formed the backdrop for the ceasefire and the renewed focus on talks in Islamabad.

With inputs from PTI