Iran Hedging on Talks as Araghchi Arrives, VP Vance Sits Out Spherical

[ad_1] Iran signaled it has not dedicated to new negotiations with the US, whilst International Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Friday.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim Information Company reported that Tehran by no means requested talks with Washington and has not determined whether or not its officers will meet U.S. negotiators in Pakistan, underscoring continued uncertainty across the diplomatic effort.

On the similar time, The New York Occasions reported that Araghchi is anticipated to current a brand new written response to a U.S. peace proposal, suggesting potential motion behind the scenes.

Araghchi mentioned in a social media submit he traveled to Islamabad for “bilateral issues” and consultations on regional developments, including that stops in Muscat and Moscow would observe.

Donald Trump earlier this week prolonged the ceasefire with Iran, saying Tehran’s management is split and wishes time to coalesce round a counterproposal, in keeping with remarks reported by Reuters and different retailers.

White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned on Fox Information that envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner will journey to Pakistan for talks mediated by Islamabad, including the administration has “seen some progress” from Iran in latest days.

Leavitt mentioned the talks are anticipated to contain engagement with Iranian representatives, although Reuters reported that as of Friday no formal direct assembly had been scheduled and Pakistan could as an alternative shuttle messages between the perimeters.

The evolving U.S. delegation highlights a shift within the talks and raises new questions on Vice President JD Vance’s position.

Vance led the primary spherical of negotiations in Islamabad earlier this month, calling the U.S. proposal its “last and finest provide,” in keeping with Reuters, and taking a extremely seen position within the administration’s diplomatic push.

He is not going to attend this spherical, nonetheless, with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner main the talks as an alternative, a shift The Washington Publish reported displays a lower-level diplomatic effort after the earlier spherical failed to supply a breakthrough.

The Washington Publish reported Vance stays on standby and will be part of if talks achieve traction, whereas Reuters equally reported he's ready to journey if higher-level engagement turns into crucial.

However some analysts informed The Hill and different retailers that Vance’s absence dangers signaling a downgrading of U.S. urgency or affect, notably after he personally fronted the sooner talks, fueling questions on whether or not his position has been quietly scaled again.

Others, nonetheless, mentioned the transfer is extra tactical than political, arguing that preserving Vance in reserve permits the White Home to keep away from overcommitting senior management earlier than Iran alerts it is able to significantly negotiate.

Leavitt rejected any suggestion Vance has been sidelined, saying he stays “deeply concerned” and is coordinating carefully with Trump and the broader nationwide safety group, which she mentioned is ready to deploy if talks present progress.