Araghchi set to travel to Pak for ceasefire talks with US
Iran's top diplomat was heading Friday to Pakistan, where officials have been trying to get the United States and Iran to convene for a second round of ceasefire negotiations. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency confirmed Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was on his way to Pakistan on a trip focused on “bilateral consultations” and regional developments. It said he would also travel to Oman and Russia.
The trip comes as much of the world has been on edge over a war that has snarled crucial energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz, clouded the global economic picture, and left thousands dead across the West Asia.
Earlier, two Pakistani officials told The Associated Press that Araghchi was heading to Pakistan with a small Government delegation. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media. The White House did not immediately respond to questions about Araghchis's trip to Pakistan and whether a US delegation would also do so. Islamabad has sought to reinject momentum into the negotiations between Iran and the United States, which had been set to resume this week but did not materialise.
Pakistan forges ahead with diplomatic efforts
In their call Friday, Araghchi, his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar and Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, talked over “regional developments and issues related to the ceasefire,” a statement from Araghchi said. It did not go into further detail.
Later, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said that “both sides exchanged views on regional developments, the ceasefire, and ongoing diplomatic efforts being pursued by Islamabad in the context of US-Iran engagement.” It added that Dar “underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and engagement to address outstanding issues, in order to advance regional peace and stability at the earliest.” Since the war began, at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran, and over 2,290 people in Lebanon, where new fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group. Hezbollah broke out two days after the war started, according to authorities.
Additionally, 23 people have died in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon and 13 US service members throughout the region have been killed.
Erica and Iran to the negotiating table for the second round of talks. Meanwhile, the Pakistani capital continues to remain closed for heavy traffic on Friday as authorities await the possible visit of top leaders of the US and Iran for peace talks, stalled due to differences on key issues.
The administrations of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi had closed all major roads and markets in VVIP movement areas on Sunday amid indications that the talks could begin any day during the week.
The Metro Bus Service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, and electric buses on seven routes have been suspended, while goods transport has remained halted since April 19, causing inconvenience to the public.
The Red Zone continues to remain closed, with employees of offices in the area working from home.
