Iran says it hasn't committed to more negotiations, despite Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arriving in Islamabad on Friday.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency, the semi-official outlet associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported Iranian officials never asked for talks with the U.S. and had made no decision on whether to meet with U.S. officials in Islamabad.
However, The New York Times reported that Araghchi plans to present a new written response to a U.S. proposal for a peace deal.
Araghchi posted on social media Friday that he landed in Islamabad focused on “bilateral matters” and to consult on regional developments. He said he is next traveling to Muscat and then Moscow.
President Trump unilaterally extended the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran earlier this week, saying Iran's leadership was divided and needed time to unite around a counter-proposal to America's latest terms.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Fox News that Witkoff and Kusher, Trump's top negotiators, will leave for Pakistan on Saturday.
“I can confirm special envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be off to Pakistan again tomorrow morning to engage in talks, direct talks, intermediated by the Pakistanis, who have been incredible friends and mediators throughout this entire process, with representatives from the Iranian delegation,” Leavitt said on Friday, adding that Iran asked for the second round of in-person talks in Islamabad, Pakistan's capital.
“We’re hopeful that it will be a productive conversation and hopefully move the ball forward towards a deal,” she stated.
Vice President Vance, who led the U.S. delegation during the first round of in-person talks, will not be in Pakistan, according to Leavitt.
“The vice president remains deeply involved in this entire process, and he’ll be standing by here in the United States, along with the president and the Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the entire national security team for updates,” the press secretary said.
Leavitt added that “everyone will be on standby to fly to Pakistan if necessary.”
The Trump administration has "seen some progress" in recent days from Iran, Leavitt said, with the meeting coming days after Trump set an indefinite ceasefire with Tehran.
Read the full report at thehill.com.
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