Why Iran’s Foreign Minister’s Surprise Visits to Pakistan Are Raising Global Eyebrows”

 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was to head to Moscow on Sunday after a short stay in Pakistan, where he landed for a second time in two days following a trip to Oman as part of his tri-nation tour, a diplomatic source told Dawn.

 He is making the trip in the midst of ongoing diplomatic efforts, particularly those made by Pakistan, to get Tehran and Washington to sit down for talks aimed at resolving the conflict that started with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. Araghchi arrived at the Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi after completing a day-long visit to Oman, the diplomatic source said, adding that he would meet with senior Pakistani officials during his short stay in Islamabad.

 He added that the Iranian foreign minister would then travel to Moscow. In a late-night post on X, Iranian envoy to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam confirmed the end of Araghchi’s second trip to Pakistan.

 “At the end of this round of the visit of the Iranian delegation, Abbas Araghchi, the minister of foreign affairs, to Pakistan … which was carried out with the aim of reviewing bilateral relations and consulting on the issue of regional developments, I would like to express my sincere and wholehearted gratitude and appreciation to the government, army and people of Pakistan, especially Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, for their tireless efforts and good office initiative to end the war and bring lasting peace to the region.

 “Like the previous round, this round was held in complete security, safety and tranquillity for the delegation, achieved with the competent and perfect management, thoughtful planning and successful implementation by the brotherly, friendly and neighbouring country of Pakistan.

 “Here, I express my sincere gratitude to the army staffs, security forces, police, employees of all executive institutions and especially the honourable people of Pakistan and Islamabad residents, for their patience, hospitality and cooperative synergy during this period.  Iran-Pakistan Friendship Zindabad (long live).”

 Meeting with Oman’s sultan

 Earlier in Oman, Araghchi met with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and briefed him “on the Iranian side’s perspectives” regarding the regional developments and the peace efforts, Oman’s foreign ministry said in a statement on X.

 In the statement, it was stated that Araghchi "listened to His Majesty's views on ways to advance these efforts in a manner that enhances opportunities for reaching sustainable political solutions and limits the repercussions of crises on the peoples of the region." It added that the sultan affirmed the importance of prioritising the language of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing issues, in a way that contributed to consolidating the foundations of peace.

 Araghchi expressed Iran’s appreciation for Oman’s positions in “supporting dialogue efforts and enhancing endeavours for security and stability in the region, especially amid the current regional challenges”, the statement said.

 Separately, Iran’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the security in the Strait of Hormuz and broader Gulf waters and diplomatic efforts to end the US-Israeli war on Iran were discussed during the meeting.

 It quoted Araghchi as saying the US military presence in the Middle East was fuelling insecurity and division.  It said he called for a regional security framework free of outside interference during the meeting.

 Separately, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported that he also held a phone call with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, and discussed regional developments and ongoing diplomatic processes.

 Later, state-run news agency IRNA reported that he also held a phone call with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and exchanged views on the “latest regional developments and ongoing diplomatic efforts”.

 Araghchi hands over Iran’s proposals

 Before departing for Oman on Saturday, Araghchi had earlier arrived in Islamabad on Friday night. During meetings with Pakistan's civil and military leadership, he presented Tehran's response to US proposals for ending the war. He departed for Muscat after a day of intensive consultations, reportedly abo­ard a Gulfstream G600 owned by the Pakistan military.  Neither the Pakistani military nor the Iranian officials confirmed or denied this.  This suggested Pakistani facilitation of his regional tour to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

 A Pakistani source involved in the process said the Iranian side had delivered both its proposals and its perspective on the American proposals.  Sources said Iran emphasised its terms while indicating readiness to remain engaged in shaping a future diplomatic course.

 Tehran emphasized that any framework must be "rational and fair," according to officials familiar with the discussions, and maintained that negotiations cannot proceed under pressure, particularly in light of the US naval blockade of Iranian ports. At the same time, the Iranian side made it clear that it was willing to stay involved through Pakistan's mediation, but it insisted that it would not accept terms that threatened its sovereignty or security. No details of the proposals were made public.

 The visit unfolded amid indications earlier from Washington that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner would travel to Islamabad to engage with the Iranian delegation.  However, as Araghchi departed for Moscow, US President Donald Trump called off the trip.

 Impasse in talks

 Pakistan’s civil and military leadership has been engagedin feverish diplomacy, seeking to bring the US and Iran back to the negotiating table after the first round of talks in Islamabad yielded no result.

 The first round of historic direct US-Iran talks was held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, following a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire on April 8.  It had ended without an agreement, but also without a breakdown.

 However, the expected second round of negotiations witnessed a delay due to continued friction between the US and Iran, particularly regarding Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the US blockade of Iran’s ports.

 Meanwhile, Trump has announced an extension in the ceasefire until Tehran submits a “unified proposal” and “discussions are concluded, one way or the other”.

 The US has, however, maintained its blockade of Iranian ports.

 Iran responded to the February 28 attacks by the United States and Israel by closing the strait and announcing that it would charge ships that use the maritime route. The US earlier this month blockaded Iranian ports to stop its oil exports and returned over 30 ships leaving Iranian ports.

 Unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz has emerged as one of the issues at the core of the impasse between the US and Iran.  Another point of contention is Washington’s demand for long-term commitments on Iran’s nuclear programme, including constraints on enrichment and safeguards against weaponisation.