Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi back in Islamabad on Sunday, a day after he left for a visit to Oman as part of a tri-nation tour.
He is undertaking the trip against the backdrop of ongoing diplomatic efforts, notably by Pakistan, to bring Tehran and Washington to the table for talks aimed at ending the conflict that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.
Araghchi arrived at the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi after completing a day-long visit to Oman, the source said, adding that he would meet senior Pakistani officials during his short stay in Islamabad.
The Iranian foreign minister will then depart for Moscow after the brief visit.
Meeting with Oman’s Sultan
Earlier in Oman, Araghchi met with Haitham bin Tariq and briefed him “on the Iranian side’s perspectives” regarding regional developments and ongoing peace efforts, Oman’s foreign ministry said in a statement on X.
Araghchi also listened to the Sultan’s views on advancing efforts to reach sustainable political solutions and limit the impact of crises on regional populations.
The statement added that the Sultan emphasised the importance of prioritising dialogue and diplomacy in addressing regional challenges and strengthening the foundations of peace.
Araghchi, in turn, expressed Iran’s appreciation for Oman’s role in supporting dialogue efforts and promoting regional security and stability amid current challenges.
Separately, Iran’s foreign ministry said that security in the Strait of Hormuz and diplomatic efforts to end the US-Israeli war on Iran were key topics of discussion. It quoted Araghchi as saying the US military presence in the Middle East was fuelling insecurity and division, and that he called for a regional security framework free of external interference.
Iranian state broadcaster IRIB also reported that Araghchi held a phone call with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan to discuss regional developments and diplomatic processes.
Araghchi hands over Iran’s proposals
Araghchi had earlier arrived in Islamabad on Friday night and handed over Tehran’s response to US proposals for ending the war during meetings with Pakistan’s civil and military leadership, before leaving for Oman on Saturday.
He departed for Muscat after a day of intensive consultations, reportedly aboard a Gulfstream G600 owned by the Pakistan military, though neither side confirmed this. The development suggested Pakistan’s facilitation of his regional tour aimed at finding a diplomatic solution.
A Pakistani source involved in the process said that Iran delivered both its proposals and its perspective on American proposals, emphasising its terms while signalling willingness to remain engaged in future diplomacy.
Officials familiar with the discussions said Tehran stressed that any framework must be “rational and fair” and insisted that negotiations cannot proceed under pressure, particularly amid the US naval blockade of Iranian ports.
At the same time, Iran indicated it would stay engaged through Pakistan’s mediation but would not accept terms undermining its sovereignty or security interests.
No details of the proposals were made public.
Impasse in talks
Pakistan’s civil and military leadership has been engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts to bring the US and Iran back to the negotiating table after the first round of talks in Islamabad yielded no agreement.
The first round of historic direct US-Iran talks was held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, following a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire on April 8. While no deal was reached, the talks ended without a breakdown.
However, the second round has been delayed due to continued friction, particularly over Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the US blockade of Iranian ports.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has announced an extension in the ceasefire until Tehran submits a “unified proposal” and discussions are concluded.
Despite this, the US has maintained its blockade of Iranian ports.
On the other hand, the Strait of Hormuz — through which one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply passed during peacetime — remains blocked.
After the February 28 strikes by the US and Israel, Tehran shut down the strait and later imposed charges on vessels using the route, while the US moved to block Iranian oil exports and turned back more than 30 ships.
Unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz has become a central issue in the impasse, alongside Washington’s demands for long-term commitments on Iran’s nuclear programme, including limits on enrichment and safeguards against weaponisation.