Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi meets with Pakistan officials but rules out direct talks with US
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US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to arrive in Pakistan on Saturday ahead of a second round of peace talks between the US and Iran. Tehran, however, has ruled out direct talks.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Pakistan on Friday evening ahead of a second round of peace talks with the United States, in an effort to restore calm in the region.
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Shortly after Araghchi's arrival, his ministry clarified that any talks between Tehran and Washington would be indirect, with messages conveyed to Pakistani officials instead.
Araghchi wasted no time and met late Friday with Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.
On Saturday morning, he met with Munir and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, officials said.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are also due to head to Pakistan on Saturday. Vice President JD Vance will not attend but will instead be on standby in case his presence is "necessary," the White House said.
A first round of negotiations already took place in Pakistan earlier this month but both sides failed to reach a deal.
Pakistan has emerged as the leading mediator in efforts to end the war, with an initial round of negotiations already held in the capital earlier this month.
However, both sides failed to reach a deal, and as a result, Iran was initially reluctant to send another delegation to Islamabad for a second round.
Islamabad appeared to be under near-lockdown on Saturday morning, with soldiers and police stationed at key intersections, posted on rooftops overlooking major roads, and helicopters circling overhead. Checkpoints, road closures and diversions across the city, particularly near the so-called "red zone" surrounding the negotiation venue.
Commercial flights resume at Tehran's airport
Meanwhile, Iran has resumed commercial flights at Tehran's international airport on Saturday, the first time its done so since the conflict with the US and Israel broke out late February.
Flights bound for Istanbul, Oman’s capital of Muscat and the Saudi city of Medina departed from the Imam Khomeini International Airport, Iran's state-run media reported.
Three Istanbul-bound flights were seen departing on Saturday morning on the Flightradar24 tracking platform.
Iran's airspace has largely remained closed since 28 February, but partially reopened earlier this month when the first ceasefire was announced.
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