Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi is set to travel to Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, on Friday amid speculation that a second round of talks will be held with the US.
State news confirmed the visit alongside travel to Muscat and Moscow, though it is unclear if a negotiation delegation will join him. It is also unclear if a US delegation will also go to Pakistan.
His visit comes after US President Donald Trump has said he wants “the best” deal with Iran as a standoff over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues.
Trump, who extended the deadline on a ceasefire on Tuesday, said that though he doesn’t want any deal with Iran to be rushed, he wants “to make the best deal… I want to have it everlasting”.
Iran, which has in recent days seized two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, hit back against US accusations that its leadership is fractured.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei described the comments as part of “media operations”, adding, “unity will become stronger and more solid, and enemies will become weaker and more humiliated”.
Amid US claims of a divide within the leadership, CNN reports that US plans for upcoming strikes include options of further attacks on Iran’s leadership, including “obstructionists” that have undermined negotiations.
There are also efforts to bring Israeli and Lebanese officials to the negotiating table, with Trump announcing a three-week extension to the ceasefire in Lebanon, despite Israel repeatedly ignoring the truce.
