U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are expected to travel to Pakistan in the coming days to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran continue to stagnate. The meeting marks a renewed push to break the deadlock and build momentum for a potential deal before military options are reconsidered.
Diplomatic Moves Amid Ceasefire Extension
President Trump recently extended the ceasefire with Iran, but negotiations have failed to make progress in recent weeks. Araghchi is set to arrive in Islamabad on Friday night for talks with Pakistani leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. A Pakistani official confirmed that discussions with Araghchi will focus on relaunching negotiations with the Trump administration, with a potential trilateral meeting with U.S. envoys under consideration.
A trilateral meeting with the U.S. will be assessed after our meeting with Araghchi.
Behind-the-Scenes Tensions
Vice President JD Vance, who led the U.S. negotiating team in previous talks, will not be part of this trip. Sources indicate that Vance's counterpart, Iranian Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, will not accompany Araghchi. Ghalibaf reportedly grew frustrated with internal Iranian leadership disputes after the last round of talks and even considered stepping down, though he has not yet resigned.
Vance remains on standby to join the delegation if talks progress, while his chief of staff and other team members will support Kushner and Witkoff on the ground. The outcome of this meeting could determine whether the U.S. pivots toward diplomacy or shifts focus back to military options in its dealings with Iran.