Abbas Araghchi’s in Pakistan; Iran’s Foreign Minister restarts Islamabad consultations ahead of Moscow visit

ISLAMABAD: The diplomatic landscape in Islamabad has shifted dramatically following Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s return to Pakistan, signalling a renewed push for Iran-US peace negotiations. Araghchi held significant discussions with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday, April 25, 2026, where he presented a preliminary framework for a peace agreement. Following these talks, he departed for Oman late that night, a move that coincided with Donald Trump’s decision to cancel his representatives' scheduled trip to Pakistan. The US President expressed frustration over the timing of Araghchi’s departure, signalling his irritation through public statements that criticised the delay in direct coordination.

Despite the initial friction, Araghchi returned to Islamabad on the night of Sunday, April 26, after conducting urgent consultations in Muscat. This return was part of a coordinated effort involving Gulf nations, particularly Oman, to refine a diplomatic roadmap. The primary objective is to finalise a framework for ending the current conflict, which will be submitted to the United States through the mediation of friendly intermediary countries. This shuttle diplomacy highlights Pakistan's central role in managing the high-stakes communication between Tehran and Washington.

The Foreign Minister’s diplomatic marathon continues as he is scheduled to arrive in Moscow on Monday, April 27. During this visit, he is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to align their positions on regional security and the proposed peace framework. By engaging with both regional partners and global powers like Russia, Iran appears to be consolidating international support for its conditions before the peace talks with the US formally resume.