A motorcade believed to be carrying Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi upon his departure, as Pakistan prepares to host the U.S. and Iran for the second phase of peace talks in Islamabad. (Credit: Reuters)
The Pakistani Minister of the Interior arrived in Tehran on Saturday 'to facilitate' peace talks, currently at a standstill, between Iran and the United States, according to Iranian media.
’’Mohsin Naqvi arrived today in the Islamic Republic of Iran for an official two-day visit as part of Pakistan's ongoing efforts to facilitate discussions and promote regional peace,’’ the Tasnim news agency reported. The minister was received by his Iranian counterpart, Eskandar Momeni. This trip comes just a few days after the visit to Tehran by the head of the Pakistani army, the powerful General Asim Munir.
Islamabad is playing a mediating role in efforts to revive peace talks between Iran and the United States, after hosting, last month, a high-level meeting between delegations from both countries. A cease-fire announced on April 8 largely ended the war triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28. But Iran is still largely blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route for global oil trade, disrupting global markets. Meanwhile, the United States is imposing a blockade of Iranian ports.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that Tehran had received messages from the U.S. administration indicating it was willing to continue negotiations. The main Iranian negotiator and speaker of parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said Tuesday that Washington must accept Iran's peace proposal or face 'failure,' after Donald Trump rejected Tehran's counterproposal.
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