Iran says won’t accept ‘maximalist’ demands

ISLAMABAD: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday outlined Tehran’s demands and reservations regarding US positions on ending the ongoing conflict during meetings with Pakistan’s top civilian and military leadership. A high-level Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Araghchi departed for Oman in the evening after a day of intensive engagements, as diplomatic activity intensified around Iran-US tensions. During his brief but significant visit to the federal capital, Araghchi held separate and joint meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. READ ALSO: Trump cancels Witkoff, Kushner trip to Pakistan According to informed sources, the Iranian foreign minister conveyed a detailed set of Tehran’s demands directed at Washington, alongside outlining his country’s reservations regarding US proposals aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. Shortly after Araghchi’s departure, a dramatic development unfolded in Washington. US President Donald Trump announced via social media that he had cancelled the planned visit of his Middle East envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to Pakistan, who were scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on Sunday to pave the way for a second round of talks between Iran and the US aimed at securing a lasting resolution to the ongoing conflict. The move is being widely interpreted as a signal that the much-anticipated second round of direct Iran-US dialogue has effectively been called off, at least for the time being. Throughout the day, Pakistan’s leadership appeared keen to underscore its diplomatic relevance by engaging extensively with the visiting delegation. Meetings were held at the Prime Minister’s House, where discussions reportedly focused on regional stability, ending US-Iran war, the trajectory of Iran-US relations, and Pakistan’s potential role as a facilitator in easing tensions. In a key bilateral meeting, attended by Prime Minister Sharif, DPM Dar and Field Marshal Munir, Araghchi is said to have elaborated on Tehran’s position in considerable detail. Sources familiar with the discussions indicated that the Iranian side presented a comprehensive perspective on both its expectations from Washington and its concerns over American demands. In an official statement issued later, Prime Minister Sharif described his interaction with the Iranian delegation as “warm and cordial”. He noted that the two sides had exchanged views on the prevailing regional situation and explored avenues for further strengthening Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations. The prime minister also reaffirmed the importance of sustained engagement and dialogue in addressing complex geopolitical challenges. Dar, speaking after the meeting, said the discussions lasted approximately two hours and were marked by a candid exchange of views. He emphasised that Pakistan remained committed to promoting diplomacy as the primary means of ensuring peace and stability, both in the region and beyond. Earlier in the day, Araghchi held a separate meeting with Field Marshal Munir. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, the talks covered matters of mutual interest as well as the broader regional security environment. Meanwhile, Dar chaired a separate review meeting to assess the evolving situation. Reiterating Pakistan’s stance, he stated that Islamabad was actively facilitating efforts aimed at fostering dialogue between Iran and the US. He stressed that Pakistan would continue to play a constructive role in promoting peaceful resolution of disputes. The Foreign Office also issued a statement cautioning against speculative reporting. It underscored that only official communications should be considered reflective of Pakistan’s position on the Iran-US facilitation process. “Unnamed officials or sources, whether cited in traditional media or on social platforms, do not represent the state’s official stance, ” the statement said, urging media outlets to rely solely on verified information. Araghchi’s visit comes at a critical juncture, with diplomatic channels appearing increasingly strained. While Pakistan has sought to position itself as a bridge between Tehran and Washington, the abrupt cancellation of the US envoys’ visit suggests that significant hurdles remain in reviving meaningful dialogue. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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