Pakistan invites Iranian negotiators to Islamabad for US talks

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Monday and invited Tehran's negotiators to visit Islamabad at their "earliest convenience," according to a statement from Islamabad's Foreign Ministry. The two ministers discussed regional and international developments, including the deteriorating situation in Occupied East Jerusalem, during their telephone conversation late Monday.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq separately extended an invitation to Iranian chief negotiator Bagher Ghalibaf, a government source told Anadolu, requesting anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media. It remains unclear when the Iranian officials will visit Islamabad.

US military strikes called off

The diplomatic outreach came after US President Donald Trump cancelled planned military strikes on Iran on Saturday, with allies urging him to hold off because a deal appeared imminent. Trump said he called off the attacks following advice from partner nations who indicated an agreement was within reach.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Monday that Tehran was not engaged in negotiations with the US, contradicting the US president's optimism about an imminent deal. Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum on June 17 agreeing to advance negotiations toward a permanent settlement on contentious issues including Iran's nuclear program within 60 days, according to Pakistani government sources.

Mediation efforts continue

Pakistani and Qatari mediators remain in contact with Washington and Tehran to finalize a date and venue for the resumption of direct talks, sources told Anadolu. Hostilities that began last month have cast uncertainty over the future of the agreement, with no date or venue yet confirmed for the long-stalled negotiations.