ISLAMABAD, April 11 – A senior Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf touched down in Islamabad on Saturday ahead of highly anticipated negotiations with United States representatives, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed in an official statement this week.
The visiting delegation, assembled for the high-stakes diplomatic discussions, also counts Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi among its core members. On arrival at the Pakistani capital, the Iranian delegation was formally welcomed by a senior contingent of Pakistani leadership. The reception party included Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Syed Asim Munir, who also serves as Chief of Defense Forces, and Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi.
In remarks following the welcome, Ishaq Dar shared Pakistan’s expectation that all negotiating parties will approach the discussions in a spirit of constructive engagement. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding commitment to continuing its role as a neutral facilitator, working to support all parties in reaching a sustainable, long-term resolution to the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran.
The talks mark a rare diplomatic opening between the two longtime adversaries, with Pakistan serving as the host and intermediary for the pivotal discussions that are being watched closely by global powers across the world.