Iran’s foreign minister arrives in Pakistan, Trump expects offer satisfying US demands

(Reuters) - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrived in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Friday to discuss proposals ​for restarting peace talks with the U.S., offering some hope for an end to the eight-week war that has killed thousands and sown turmoil in global markets.

U.S. President Donald Trump told Reuters on Friday that Iran ‌plans to make an offer aimed at satisfying U.S. demands, but said he did not yet know what the offer entailed.

When asked who the U.S. was negotiating with, Trump said: "I don't want to say that, but we're dealing with the people that are in charge now."

But Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said on X that Iranian officials did not plan to meet with U.S. representatives, even though U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner planned to travel to Islamabad. Iran's concerns would be conveyed to Pakistan, the spokesperson said.

After a U.S. bombing campaign and ​Iran's blocking of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the two countries are at a costly impasse, with Iran's oil exports blocked and U.S. gasoline prices at multi-year highs.

Speaking before the Iranian foreign ministry's statement, White House press ​secretary Karoline Leavitt said Witkoff and Kushner would leave for Pakistan on Saturday morning for talks with Araqchi.

Leavitt struck an upbeat tone, saying the U.S. had seen some progress from ⁠the Iranian side in recent days and hoped more would come this weekend.

She added that U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who earlier this month led a first round of unsuccessful talks with Iran to end their war, is ready to travel to ​Pakistan as well.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Iranian statement.

Pakistani sources said earlier that a U.S. logistics and security team was already in place in Islamabad for potential talks.

Pakistan's foreign ministry confirmed Araqchi's ​arrival in Islamabad, where a heavy military and paramilitary presence was visible across the central parts of the city.