Iran team claims threats propelled them to ditch plane, travelled via bus & train from Pakistan

The Iranians reportedly learnt about a possible attack on their aircraft, which forced them to travel via bus and train back to Tehran.

The delegation from Iran took alternative routes to reach Tehran following failed peace talks with the US in Pakistan, a Lebanese media outlet has reported.

Iranian officials including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf reportedly learnt about a possible attack on their aircraft, which prompted them to travel via bus and train back to Tehran.

Delegations from the US and Iran landed in Islamabad for negotiations in Islamabad which lasted 21 hours over the weekend. However, both sides failed to find a common ground as the Iranians reportedly refused to give up nuclear enrichment.

As distrust was already deepening, Araghchi and Co. decided to ditch their plane for a 'safer' option.

"We received direct threats while en route to Islamabad that our plane might be attacked. As a result, on the way back to Tehran, the delegation secretly switched planes," Iranian political analyst Mohammad Marandi told the Lebanese news outlet Al-Mayadeen.

According to Marandi, the plane made an emergency landing in Iran's Mashhad city, from where the delegates continued on to Tehran via bus and train.

"We don't trust the United States," Marandi reportedly said.

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said that the two sides may resume negotiations in Islamabad in a couple of days.