Iranian delegation led by Araghchi leaves after meeting PM, CDF Munir; Trump cancels US envoys’ visit
An Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Islamabad on Saturday after meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.
At the same time, US President Donald Trump cancelled the visit of US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who were expected to depart for Pakistan later in the day for talks with Iran.
Araghchi’s meetings
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi termed his visit to Pakistan “very fruitful”. In a post on X, he said, “Very fruitful visit to Pakistan, whose good offices and brotherly efforts to bring back peace to our region we very much value.
“Shared Iran’s position concerning a workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran. Have yet to see if the US is truly serious about diplomacy,” he said.
Very fruitful visit to Pakistan, whose good offices and brotherly efforts to bring back peace to our region we very much value.
Shared Iran’s position concerning workable framework to permanently end the war on Iran. Have yet to see if the U.S. is truly serious about diplomacy.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 25, 2026
A Pakistani source told Reuters that Araghchi delivered Tehran’s negotiating demands, as well as its reservations about US demands, to Pakistani officials.
Araqchi “explained our country’s principled positions regarding the latest developments related to the ceasefire and the complete end of the imposed war against Iran”, said a statement on the minister’s official Telegram account.
“Regional developments and bilateral ties came under discussion,” state-run Pakistan TV reported about Araghchi’s meeting with the premier.
CDF Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Iran’s Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam were also present during the meeting held at the Prime Minister’s House.
PM Shehbaz called the meeting a “most warm, cordial exchange of views on the current regional situation”.
“We also discussed matters of mutual interest, including the further strengthening of Pakistan–Iran bilateral relations,” he said.
Was pleased to meet H.E. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister of Iran, and his delegation in Islamabad today. Had a most warm, cordial exchange of views on the current regional situation. We also discussed matters of mutual interest, including the further strengthening of… pic.twitter.com/ZGLQNuGOK6
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 25, 2026
Dar said that the meeting lasted “approximately two hours”.
“The prime minister emphasised on the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for peace and stability in the region and beyond,” he said.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif received Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi at the Prime Minister House today and the meeting lasted around two hours approx.
Along with Prime Minister @CMShehbaz, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar… pic.twitter.com/SpUoHyfoRR
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) April 25, 2026
Earlier in the day, Araghchi held a separate meeting with CDF Munir.
“Matters of mutual interest and the overall regional situation were discussed,” state-run Pakistan TV reported about the meeting.
H.E. Dr Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, Honorable Foreign Minister calls on Field Marshal Seyed Asim Munir, NI(M), HJ, COAS & CDF pic.twitter.com/sihS0yB3NJ
— Embassy of IR Iran Pakistan (@IraninIslamabad) April 25, 2026
Trump cancels US envoys’ visit
Hours after Araghchi departed the federal capital, the US president told Fox News he had cancelled a planned trip to Pakistan by envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff for peace talks with Iran.
“I’ve told my people a little while ago they were getting ready to leave, and I said, ‘Nope, you’re not making an 18-hour flight to go there. We have all the cards. They can call us anytime they want, but you’re not going to be making any more 18-hour flights to sit around talking about nothing,’” Fox News reported the president as saying in a phone call.
Asked whether the cancellation meant he would resume the war, Trump told Axios: “No. It doesn’t mean that. We haven’t thought about it yet.”
Subsequently, he posted on his Truth Social platform, reiterating that the visit had been cancelled.
“Too much time wasted on traveling, too much work! Besides which, there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their ‘leadership.’ Nobody knows who is in charge, including them. Also, we have all the cards, they have none! If they want to talk, all they have to do is call!!!”
On Saturday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had said that Witkoff and Kushner would be leaving for Pakistan on Saturday for a second round of talks with Iran.
“I confirm special envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be off to Pakistan again tomorrow morning to engage in talks — direct talks — intermediated by the Pakistanis, who have been incredible friends and mediators throughout this entire process, with representatives from the Iranian delegation,” she told Fox News.
“Everyone will be on standby to fly to Pakistan if necessary, but first, Steve and Jared will be going over there to report back to the president, the vice president and the rest of the team,” Leavitt said.
Source ; Dawn