Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to reach Pakistan on April 24 for second round of Iran-US peace talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday said that he was travelling to Pakistan, Oman and Russia to "closely coordinate" with them on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments, reviving hopes for the second round of Iran-US peace talks to end the war in West Asia.

Ahead of his departure from Tehran and in a post on X, he wrote, "Embarking on timely tour of Islamabad, Muscat, and Moscow."

"Purpose of my visits is to closely coordinate with our partners on bilateral matters and consult on regional developments. Our neighbours are our priority," he said.

According to Iranian media, Araghchi will lead a small delegation to Pakistan, Oman, and Russia on Friday to "hold bilateral consultations and discuss current developments in the region, as well as the latest situation" in the US-Iran war.

A senior official of the Pakistan government said that Araghchi is expected to arrive in Islamabad on Friday night with a small delegation.

He said, "Following key discussions with the Pakistani mediation team, a second round of peace talks between the US and Iran is expected to be held in Islamabad."

The official said that a US logistics and security team is already present in Islamabad to facilitate the negotiation process.

The official also said that once the Iranian delegation arrives and works out the framework of talks with the US technical team, then the high-powered US delegation would likely arrive here on Saturday night.

"But this is subject to some kind of understanding reaching with Iran," he said.

The development comes hours after Deputy PM Ishaq Dar and Araghchi spoke over the phone and "exchanged views on regional developments, the ceasefire, and ongoing diplomatic efforts being pursued by Islamabad in the context of US-Iran engagement."

The Foreign Office said in a statement that Dar underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and engagement to address outstanding issues to advance regional peace and stability at the earliest.

It also said that Araghchi appreciated Pakistan's consistent and constructive facilitation role in this regard, and both leaders agreed to remain in close contact.

According to Iranian media Araghchi also spoke with Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir on Friday.

The first round of US-Iran talks held on April 11 and 12 failed to produce a breakthrough, prompting a flurry of diplomatic efforts by host Pakistan to cool tensions and revive hopes for another round of dialogue.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Friday repeated US President Donald Trump's threat to destroy any Iranian fast boats that attempt to put mines in the water or disrupt passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump on Tuesday extended the two-week ceasefire with Iran indefinitely to give Tehran more time to prepare a unified proposal to end the war.

In a social media post, Trump on Thursday said that the US has total control over the Strait of Hormuz, and no ship can enter or leave without its approval. "It is "Sealed up Tight," until such time as Iran is able to make a DEAL," he said.

Trump also claimed that Iran is having a "very hard time" figuring out who their leader is. "They just don't know! The infighting is between the "Hardliners," who have been losing BADLY on the battlefield, and the "Moderates," who are not very moderate at all (but gaining respect!), is CRAZY!" he said in a separate post.

Responding to Trump's comments, both Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf issued identical posts, saying there are no "hardliners" or "moderates" in Iran.

"We are all Iranians and revolutionaries. With ironclad unity of nation and state and obedience to the Supreme Leader, we will make the aggressor regret. One God, one nation, one leader, one path; victory for Iran, dearer than life," they said in separate posts on X, which were re-posted by Araghchi.S.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei lashed out at Trump for sharing the post, saying the US, which once presented itself as a cradle of democracy, freedom, and human values, "now appears to become a promoter of terrorism, murder, and mass violence."

(With PTI inputs)