US envoys arrive in Islamabad for peace talks with Iran amid Middle East tensions
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Islamabad on April 25, 2026, to engage in peace talks with Iran amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The visit marks a renewed effort by the United States to broker a peace deal in the region.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had arrived in Islamabad a day earlier, but Iran has ruled out direct negotiations with US representatives.
Despite this, the White House confirmed that the US envoys would hold "in-person conversations" with Iranian representatives.
The diplomatic activity comes amid a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East and ongoing conflict involving Iran.
The presence of both Iranian and US officials in Pakistan suggests Islamabad is being used as a neutral venue for potential negotiations.
This development is significant given the prolonged stalemate between the US and Iran, particularly over Iran's nuclear ambitions and control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed the EU's readiness to cooperate with Gulf countries on energy security projects that would not be vulnerable to war or geopolitical strife.
She emphasized the interconnected nature of global security, citing threats in the Strait of Hormuz as having wider implications.
The US State Department also reported the release of an American-Kuwaiti journalist detained in Kuwait during a crackdown related to the US-Iran conflict, highlighting the broader regional tensions.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized the United States for abandoning internationally recognized diplomatic conventions in pursuit of its interests, particularly in energy markets.
The diplomatic visits underscore the complexity of the conflict and the challenges in achieving a resolution.
