Efforts to revive negotiations aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East appear to have hit another roadblock. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was reportedly heading back to Pakistan on Sunday, while U.S. President Donald Trump stated that future discussions would take place over the phone.
Diplomatic Movements
Iranian state media reported that Araghchi had left Pakistan's capital late Saturday but returned to Islamabad after a brief visit to Oman. He was also scheduled to travel to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Sunday, Araghchi was visiting mediators in both Pakistan and Oman before heading to Russia.
The White House had initially planned to send envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad for a second round of talks. However, Trump canceled the trip on Saturday, citing the lengthy flight and anticipated minimal progress. "I'll deal with whoever we have to, but there's no reason to wait two days, have people travelling for 16, 17 hours," Trump told reporters. "We're not doing it that way. When they want, they can call me."
Ceasefire and Blockade
Last week, Trump announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire agreed upon on April 7, which had largely halted the fighting that began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28. In response to the attacks, Iran has effectively shut down shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passageway carrying 20% of the world's crude oil. The U.S. maintains a naval blockade of Iranian ports to pressure Tehran into a peace deal.
Oman Talks Focus on Strait
During his visit to Oman, Araghchi sought support for Iran's decision to collect tolls from vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to an Associated Press report citing a regional official. Oman's response was not immediately clear. The official, involved in mediation efforts, also stated that Iran insists on ending the U.S. blockade before new talks and that Pakistani mediators are working to bridge significant gaps between the countries.
Araghchi also held phone conversations with counterparts in Qatar and Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Even before Saturday's developments, Iran's foreign ministry emphasized that any talks would be indirect, with Pakistani officials acting as intermediaries, reflecting Tehran's wariness after previous rounds of indirect talks ended with U.S.-Israeli attacks.
Upcoming Moscow Visit
After his second trip to Pakistan this weekend, Araghchi is expected to depart for Russia, according to CNN. On Monday, he will meet President Vladimir Putin and "consult with Russian officials on the latest status of the negotiations, the ceasefire and surrounding developments," as reported by Iranian semi-official media.
Trump on Iran's Proposal
Trump revealed that Iran sent a "much better" proposal within 10 minutes of his canceling the envoys' trip. He did not elaborate but stressed that one of his conditions is that Iran "will not have a nuclear weapon." When pressed for specifics, he said, "they offered a lot, but not enough," before departing for the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
The status of Iran's enriched uranium remains a central issue. Tehran possesses 440 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, a short technical step from weapons-grade levels, according to the UN nuclear watchdog.
— with files from The Associated Press
