Iran Turns to Pakistan as Backchannel Diplomacy With the U.S. Resumes

By Elsie Kamsiyochi

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, is expected to arrive in Islamabad on Friday as Tehran attempts to reopen indirect negotiations with the United States through Pakistani mediation.

The visit comes at a tense moment in the region, with fragile ceasefires holding in neighboring conflict zones and international pressure mounting for a broader diplomatic breakthrough.

According to Pakistani officials familiar with the discussions, Araqchi is not scheduled to meet directly with American representatives during his brief stay. Instead, his mission is expected to focus on presenting Iran’s latest proposals for restarting talks that could ease the growing confrontation between Tehran and Washington. Pakistan, which has increasingly positioned itself as a neutral intermediary, is expected to relay those proposals to U.S. officials in the coming days.

Islamabad had recently hosted earlier indirect discussions between the two longtime adversaries, but those talks collapsed earlier this week without a formal agreement. Despite that setback, both sides appear unwilling to fully abandon diplomacy, raising hopes that a new round of negotiations could still be possible.

Iranian state media reported that Araqchi’s regional trip will also include stops in Muscat and Moscow, underscoring Tehran’s effort to coordinate with key regional and international partners before any future engagement with Washington. Oman has historically played a quiet but important role in facilitating secret U.S.–Iran contacts, while Russia remains one of Iran’s closest strategic allies.

At nearly the same time news of the visit emerged, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled that Washington still sees an opportunity for diplomacy. Speaking to reporters, he said Iran still has an “open window” to make what he described as a “good deal” with the United States if it is willing to take verifiable steps to abandon any nuclear weapons ambitions.

Hegseth emphasized that the path to de-escalation remains available but warned that any agreement would require meaningful action from Tehran rather than symbolic concessions. His remarks suggest the United States is maintaining a dual-track approach — combining military pressure with a willingness to negotiate.

The renewed diplomatic effort comes as regional tensions remain high across the Middle East. Continued violence in Lebanon, instability in the Gulf, and concerns over maritime security have pushed several governments to encourage dialogue before the crisis expands further. Pakistan’s involvement reflects growing recognition that trusted regional actors may be essential in keeping communication alive when direct contact between Washington and Tehran remains politically difficult.

For now, Araqchi’s visit may not produce an immediate breakthrough, but it signals that despite recent failures, both Iran and the United States may still be searching for a way back to the negotiating table before the wider region slips deeper into conflict.

Source Reuters