US Envoys Head to Islamabad as Iran Rejects Direct Talks

U.S. negotiators are set to travel to Islamabad, Pakistan, in a renewed diplomatic push to ease escalating tensions with Iran, but Tehran has made it clear it will not engage in direct negotiations with Washington.

According to multiple reports, U.S. envoys; including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are expected to hold talks in Pakistan as part of ongoing efforts to end the weeks-long conflict involving the United States, Iran and regional allies.

However, Iranian officials have firmly ruled out any face-to-face meetings with the U.S. representatives during the Islamabad visit. Instead, Tehran says it will communicate through Pakistani intermediaries, effectively limiting discussions to indirect negotiations.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that “no meeting is planned” between the two sides, despite Washington’s expectation of in-person engagement. Pakistani authorities are expected to shuttle messages between both delegations as part of mediation efforts.

The diplomatic standoff comes amid heightened regional tensions and a fragile ceasefire. Previous rounds of talks in Islamabad failed to produce a breakthrough, with major disagreements over Iran’s nuclear program and regional influence.

Despite the lack of direct dialogue, the U.S. remains hopeful that indirect talks could lead to progress, while Iran maintains that its conditions and sovereignty must be respected before any formal negotiations can take place.

The outcome of the Islamabad meetings is expected to play a crucial role in determining whether the conflict de-escalates or intensifies in the coming weeks.