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US Negotiators to Go to Islamabad, but Iran Says No Direct Talks
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 25, 2026
4 min readLast updated: April 25, 2026
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US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to head to Islamabad on April 25 for talks with Iran amid a fragile ceasefire, but Iran has ruled out direct negotiations, instead routing messages through Pakistan.
US Heads to Pakistan for Iran Talks as Oil Markets React to Ongoing Crisis
US-Iran Negotiations and Global Oil Market Impacts
By Saad Sayeed, Ariba Shahid and Steve Holland
ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON, April 25 (Reuters) - U.S. negotiators are scheduled to leave for Pakistan on Saturday, but Iran said its officials did not plan to meet the Americans to discuss ending the war that has killed thousands and roiled global markets.
Key US Delegation and Diplomatic Efforts
President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner are due to depart on Saturday morning for talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, the White House said.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that Iran had a chance to make a "good deal" with the United States.
US Position on Iran's Nuclear Program
"Iran knows that they still have an open window to choose wisely," he said. "All they have to do is abandon a nuclear weapon in meaningful and verifiable ways."
Iran's Response and Mediation by Pakistan
Iran's Stance on Direct Talks
IRAN PLANS TO MAKE AN OFFER, TRUMP SAYS
Araqchi arrived in the capital, Islamabad, on Friday. But an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson posted on X that Iranian officials did not plan to meet with U.S. representatives and that Tehran's concerns would be conveyed to mediator Pakistan.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Iranian statement.
Stalemate and Economic Consequences
Washington and Tehran are at a costly impasse as Iran has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries one-fifth of global oil shipments, while the U.S. blocks Iran's oil exports. The conflict, entering its ninth week, has pushed energy prices to multi-year highs, stoking inflation and darkening global growth prospects.
Statements from US and Iranian Officials
Trump told Reuters on Friday that Iran planned to make an offer aimed at satisfying U.S. demands but that he did not know what the offer entailed. He declined to say who Washington was negotiating with, "but we're dealing with the people that are in charge now".
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. had seen some progress from the Iranian side in recent days and hoped more would come this weekend, while Vice President JD Vance was ready to travel to Pakistan as well.
Previous Negotiations and Diplomatic Movements
Vance, Witkoff, Kushner and Araqchi, as well as the speaker of Iran's parliament, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, took part in inconclusive talks in Islamabad two weeks ago.
Araqchi, who posted on X that he would also be visiting Pakistan, Oman and Russia, met Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday at the Serena Hotel, where the earlier talks were held, while a U.S. logistics and security team was in place in Islamabad, Pakistani sources said.
Ceasefires and Oil Market Disruptions
Recent Ceasefire Developments
CEASEFIRES IN PLACE, FEW SHIPS CROSSING HORMUZ
Trump unilaterally extended a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday to allow more time to reconvene the negotiators.
Impact on Oil Prices and Shipping
Oil prices surged this week, with Brent crude futures soaring 16%, on uncertainty over the fate of the peace talks and as violence flared in the region.
Shipping data on Friday showed that five ships had crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the previous 24 hours, compared to around 130 a day before the war that the U.S. and Israel launched on February 28. The ships included an Iranian oil-products tanker but none of the vast crude-carrying supertankers that normally feed global energy markets.
Regional Ceasefires and Ongoing Conflict
On Thursday, Israel and Lebanon extended their ceasefire for three weeks at a White House meeting brokered by Trump, but there was little sign of an end to the fighting in southern Lebanon.
Israel invaded its northern neighbour last month to root out Iran's Hezbollah allies after the militant group fired across the border. Tehran says a ceasefire there is a precondition for talks.
Lebanese authorities reported six people were killed by an Israeli strike and Hezbollah downed an Israeli drone. Israel's military said it had killed six armed Hezbollah members in southern Lebanon.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Reuters bureaus; Writing by Daniel Trotta and William Mallard; Editing by Paul Simao and Edwina Gibbs)
Key Takeaways
- •US sends high‑level delegation—Witkoff, Kushner, and potentially VP Vance—to Pakistan to revive ceasefire diplomacy (axios.com)
- •Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirms no direct talks with Americans; Tehran will channel its response via Pakistan (apnews.com)
- •The Strait of Hormuz blockade remains tightly restricted, dramatically reducing ship traffic and pushing oil prices higher amid global supply fears (hormuzmonitor.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about US negotiators to go to Islamabad, but Iran says no direct talks
1Why are US negotiators traveling to Pakistan?
US negotiators are going to Islamabad to pursue talks about ending the war and oil market disruptions, using Pakistan as a mediator with Iran.
2Is Iran participating in direct talks with the US?
No, Iranian officials stated they will not meet directly with US representatives, and their concerns will be relayed through Pakistan.
3How has the conflict affected global oil markets?
The conflict has led to closures in the Strait of Hormuz, pushing oil prices to multi-year highs and impacting energy markets worldwide.
4What recent actions have been taken to deescalate the situation?
A two-week ceasefire was extended, and mediation talks are ongoing in Islamabad, but no major breakthrough has been achieved.
5Which countries are involved in mediating the US-Iran talks?
Pakistan is serving as the primary mediator, with involvement from Oman and Russia also mentioned in discussions.
