New Delhi, Updated At: 02:00 AM Apr 25, 2026 IST
The US and Iran are set to hold a second round of talks in Islamabad, likely on Sunday, signalling a tentative resumption of engagement despite divisions in Tehran that cloud prospects for a deal.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Pakistan, saying the Iranians reached out after the President invited them to do so. She added the administration hopes the in-person talks will be productive and help move negotiations toward an agreement. Vice-President J.D. Vance is not expected to attend but remains on standby to travel to Islamabad if progress warrants.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is already in Pakistan as part of a three-nation tour that also includes Muscat and Moscow, reflecting Tehran’s calibrated outreach amid regional tensions. Araghchi said the tour aims to “closely coordinate with partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments,” noting that neighbours are a priority. Pakistan is expected to facilitate tightly managed exchanges between the sides.
The talks come amid reported turmoil within Iran’s negotiating ranks. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who had been leading Tehran’s engagement with Washington, is reported to have stepped down after disagreements—allegedly over attempts to introduce the nuclear file into talks. Hardliner Saeed Jalili is being mentioned as a possible successor, while Araghchi is thought to be seeking a greater role. Those internal rivalries complicate the path to a substantive agreement.
Diplomatic signals are mixed: the convening of a second round suggests momentum, but both parties remain firm on core issues, notably sanctions relief, nuclear commitments and regional security. Oman and Russia—Araghchi’s other stops—add strategic depth to Iran’s outreach; Oman has historically been a quiet facilitator of US-Iran contacts, while Russia remains a key partner for Tehran. Overall, the process appears incremental, mediated and vulnerable to geopolitical pressures and internal Iranian fault lines.
