Iran’s Foreign Minister Departs Pakistan Before U.S. Envoys Arrive for Ceasefire Talks Amid Hormuz Tensions and Global Trade Strain

Iran’s foreign minister left Pakistan on Saturday evening without meeting U.S. Envoys who were expected to arrive for indirect talks on a fragile ceasefire, Pakistani officials told The Associated Press.

Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday and held meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, during which he discussed Iran’s red lines for negotiations and affirmed Tehran’s willingness to engage with Pakistan’s mediation efforts “until a result is achieved.”

The departure occurred before any sign that U.S. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, had arrived in Islamabad for the planned talks. It was unclear when the U.S. Delegation was due to arrive, and the White House declined to comment on their schedule.

Shortly after Pakistani officials announced Araghchi’s departure, President Trump canceled the U.S. Delegation’s trip to Pakistan, stating on his Truth Social account that talks could continue by telephone. The White House had previously confirmed the envoys’ travel plans for a new round of peace talks.

An open-ended ceasefire has paused most fighting between the parties, but economic fallout continues to grow as global shipments of oil, liquefied natural gas, fertilizer and other supplies remain disrupted by the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to a U.S. Blockade and Iranian shipping restrictions.

Iranian officials have expressed skepticism about trusting the United States after talks over Tehran’s nuclear program last year and early this year ended with what they describe as attacks by the U.S. And Israel.