Hopes Fade For Islamabad Talks as Iran’s Araghchi Departs Without Breakthrough

ISLAMABAD: All the hopes for resumption of US-Iran talks in Islamabad were dashed after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan following a day-long consultation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.

The hopes were revived after Araghchi announced in a tweet that he would be visiting Islamabad over the weekend. Following this the US President announced to send his delegation to Islamabad for the second round of talks.

Foreign Minister Araghchi held a two-hour long meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in which he presented Iranian conditions for resumption of talks. The Iranian foreign minister informed the Pakistani Prime Minister about Iranian reservations about American demands.

Later in the day the Iranian Foreign Minister also held a separate meeting with Field Marshal Asim Munir in which the regional security situation came under discussion.

The Iranian Foreign Minister early tweeted that he was in Islamabad in connection with the three-nation tour that would include his stop over in Muscat and Moscow. He hinted that his visit to Islamabad was not part of Pakistan’s mediation efforts.

Araqchi “explained our country’s principled positions regarding the latest developments related to the ceasefire and the complete end of the imposed war against Iran”, said a statement on the minister’s official Telegram account.
“Regional developments and bilateral ties came under discussion,” state-run Pakistan TV reported about Araghchi’s meeting with the premier.

CDF Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Iran’s Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam were also present during the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s House.

PM Shehbaz called the meeting a “most warm, cordial exchange of views on the current regional situation”.

“We also discussed matters of mutual interest, including the further strengthening of Pakistan–Iran bilateral relations,” he said.

“The prime minister emphasised on the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for peace and stability in the region and beyond,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Araghchi held a separate meeting with CDF Munir. “Matters of mutual interest and the overall regional situation were discussed,” state-run Pakistan TV reported about the meeting.

Pakistani leaders successfully orchestrated a ceasefire between Iran and the United States following 40 days of war in which two sides attacked each other with ballistic and cruise missiles and one way attack drones.

The two sides held a 21-hour long marathon session of talks in Islamabad which remained inconclusive.

Pakistani leaders have been in contact with officials in Washington and Tehran to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table. However, Pakistan’s efforts so far have proved futile.