Araghchi Travels to Islamabad for Talks; Pakistan Expects US-Iran Round 2 — Then Muscat and Moscow

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on the evening of April 24, 2026, beginning a regional diplomatic tour that would also take him to Muscat, Oman and Moscow, Russia. In Islamabad, Araghchi held talks with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. The three discussed regional developments, the US-Iran ceasefire, and Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table. Pakistani officials told CNN and France 24 that while they did not expect Araghchi to speak directly with US representatives during this visit, the Pakistanis believed the meetings would pave the way toward a second round of US-Iran talks. Araghchi described the trip as 'bilateral consultations' and a review of 'the latest situation regarding the war imposed by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran.' The tour marks a significant shift: Iran had refused to participate in Islamabad Round 2 (which was canceled April 22 after Iran's withdrawal over the MV Touska seizure), and Araghchi's willingness to return to Islamabad suggests Tehran is reengaging through back channels despite publicly rejecting US terms.