Abbas Araghchi Heads to Islamabad as US-Iran Talks Breakthrough Looms

Amid a rapidly evolving security situation in West Asia, an Iranian delegation is expected to arrive in Islamabad on Friday night following a telephone conversation between Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir and Iranian officials, according to Kamran Khan, chairman of Pakistan-based news outlet ARY News.

Khan said in a post on X that following an in-depth telephone conversation with Munir, "an Iranian delegation led by foreign minister Abbas Araqchi will be arriving in Islamabad tonight".

There is a “high likelihood of a breakthrough” in US-Iran talks in Islamabad, Al Jazeera cited government sources as saying. Iran's state news agency also reported that foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is headed to Islamabad.

The state-run agency added that Araghchi is scheduled to visit Oman and Russia thereafter, according to the Associated Press.

Earlier in the day, Araghchi spoke with Pakistan’s foreign affairs minister Ishaq Dar, with both sides discussing regional issues and a ceasefire.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said in a post on X that Araghchi also held separate phone conversations with Dar and Munir on regional developments.

Meanwhile, European Council President António Costa said it is “vital” for the world that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened, AFP reported. The strait has been effectively closed to most vessels since the start of the conflict in West Asia.

An official from the United Arab Emirates said on Friday that rebuilding the country's trust with Iran will take “ages and ages”, AFP reported.

According to Reuters, citing a government source, the United States logistics and security team is already in Islamabad for the talks, which are likely to take place.

In Beijing, China’s foreign ministry rejected a claim made by Donald Trump that an Iranian ship intercepted by the American military was a “gift from China.” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the accusation was not based on facts, Al Jazeera reported.

European leaders also pledged to intensify efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East ahead of discussions with regional counterparts from Egypt, Lebanon and Syria in Cyprus. “Europe must do even more,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in Nicosia before the talks.

Separately, Pope Leo XIV urged the United States and Iran to return to negotiations to end the war and condemned capital punishment during a press conference on Thursday while returning from a trip to Africa.

He said the question wasn’t whether the Iran regime should change or not. “The question should be about how to promote the values we believe in without the deaths of so many innocents.”

(With inputs from ANI)