Iran denies snubbing Islamabad talks

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday said that Tehran's leadership "never refused to go to Islamabad" for possible peace talks that Pakistan has offered to host to bring the ongoing US-Israeli war on the Islamic republic to an end. "Iran's position is being misrepresented by US media," Araghchi wrote on X. "We are deeply grateful to Pakistan for its efforts and have never refused to go to Islamabad. What we care about are the terms of a conclusive and lasting END to the illegal war that is imposed on us," he emphasised. He also shared a video showing Iranians waving Pakistan's flags in an apparent show of appreciation for Pakistan and its people. The Iranian official ended his post with "Pakistan Zindabad" written in Urdu. Araghchi's statement comes a day after the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing unnamed mediators, reported that the "current round of efforts by regional countries led by Pakistan to reach a ceasefire" between the United States and Iran had reached a "dead end". Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar promptly appreciated Araghchi's "clarification". "Truly appreciate your clarification, my dear brother," Dar said on X in response to Araghchi's post. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi termed Araghchi's statement a "timely reminder" that "speculation helps no one". "Stick to official statements and verified media readouts for clear and accurate information," he said. The clarification from Iran also follows media reports noting that Tehran had yet to formally respond to proposals for dialogue despite back-channel exchanges in recent days. Pakistan has positioned itself as a facilitator in the peace process, leveraging its ties with the United States, its working relationship with Iran, and its strategic partnership with China. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had initially offered on March 24 that Pakistan stood "ready and honoured" to host "meaningful and conclusive talks" between the United States and Iran. Last week, Islamabad hosted a quadrilateral meeting of foreign ministers and reiterated its offer. On March 31, Pakistan and China also issued a five-point initiative for restoring peace in the Middle East, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities. On Friday, an Iranian official in Tehran also denied reports that Iran had refused to participate in dialogue in Islamabad. Rather, he pointed to a different set of constraints. The official said the terms conveyed by Washington were unacceptable. "The conditions, or the 15-point proposal, put forward by the United States are too difficult to accept," the official said, describing the situation as "highly complex". He noted that Iran's immediate focus was on the war and not negotiations. Moreover, he cited deep mistrust of US intentions. "Recent US deployments to the region do not align with its stated intentions of pursuing talks, and therefore Iran has zero confidence in the US," he said. Recalling the targeting of two Iranian leaders pursuing an initiative for de-escalation, the official said, "There are serious concerns that anyone participating in negotiations could also be targeted." Nevertheless, the official praised Pakistan for its efforts, saying "Pakistani leaders were undoubtedly doing their best for cessation of hostilities".